We’ve reached that time of year where strategically timed honorary awards and tributes are set to make an impact on the season. This afternoon Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) revealed that Willem Dafoe, star of the upcoming “At Eternity’s Gate,” and Paul Greengrass, the director of Netflix’s “22 July,” will receive the Actor and Directors tribute, respectively, at the 2018 IFP Gotham Awards. Both gentlemen are vying for Oscar attention in what is turning out to be a very competitive season.
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In a statement released by the organization, Executive Director Joana Vicente noted, “Willem Dafoe is one of the most iconic actors of our generation. Throughout his legendary career, he has consistently brought versatility, boldness and daring complexity to his roles. Whether a Hollywood tentpole franchise or a small-scale independent film, Willem’s artistic curiosity has led him to film and theatre projects all over the world, making him one of the most internationally respected actors. The IFP is thrilled to be honoring Willem with the Actor Tribute this year.”
She added, “We are equally delighted to present Paul Greengrass with the Director Tribute. Paul brings a startling realism to all of his films whether directing a stellar cast in a cat and mouse thriller that stretches around the globe or directing relative unknowns in a tragic docudrama within the confines of a doomed plane. His singular ability to create a visual – and visceral – narrative from his meticulously redrawing of impactful historical events will have a lasting influence on cinema for generations to come.”
Dafoe is a three-time Oscar nominee for “Platoon,” “Shadow of a Vampire” and “The Florida Project.” He’s known for his roles in films a diverse as “Mississippi Burning,” “The Last Temptation of Christ,” “Wild at Heart,” “Antichrist,” “Finding Dory,” Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” and a slew of Wes Anderson films. Dafoe has already been honored with the Best Actor award at the 2018 Venice Film Festival for his performance as Vincent van Gogh in “Eternity’s Gate.”
Greengrass broke out on the global cinematic scene in 2002 with the acclaimed independent feature “Bloody Sunday” and subsequently helmed three “Bourne” franchise films, “The Bourne Supremacy,” “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Jason Bourne.” He also directed “United 93” which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director in 2007 and “Captain Phillips” which earned him a Best Picture nomination as a producer in 2014.
The 2018 IFP Gotham Awards will be held on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, once again at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Nominees will be announced on Oct. 18.
