#SPOTTED: “IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK” TAKES TOP HONOURS AT INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

Now in their 34th year, the FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS took place in Santa Monica this past weekend, celebrating the achievement in Independent Film over the past year. Taking top honours was Barry Jenkins’ IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, winning Best Feature. The Adaptation of the Novel by James Baldwin also was awarded Best Director and Supporting Actress, Regina King who the next day, would win an Oscar for the same performance.

As is consistent with most of this Awards Season, we’ve seen a split in the recognition of Films and the Spirit Awards were on-trend. CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? and SUSPIRIA received two awards each, the former winning for Best Supporting Actor, Richard E. Grant and Best Screenplay, Jeff Whitty and Nicole Holofcener. Grant shared some inspiring words about his experience playing Jack Hock, himself having seen several of his friends die victims of HIV. He dedicated his award in memory of those who passed away as a result of the disease.

The Cast of SUSPIRIA received the prestigious Robert Altman Award, honouring its Female Ensemble including Chloë Grace-Moretz, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth, Dakota Johnson and more. Its Cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom also was awarded for her work.

Hosted by Aubrey Plaza, the audience were treated to her expletive-filled dead-pan humour where several including Netflix nor even THE FAVOURITE Director Yorgos Lanthimos (equating the sound of his name to a Harry Potter spell, “You just shout Yorgos Lanthimos and someone gets fingered in a corset!”) were safe from her jokes. Kidding aside, she points out that 60% of Director nominees at the Spirit Awards this year were women, stating “Don’t get too excited, in this case 60% just means three women, but calling it 60% makes it sound way scarier to your uncles.”.  On the growing phenomenon of Films getting digital releases over theatrical, she says, “I truly believe people should see movies how they’re meant to seen in the theatres.”.

 

Plaza‘s amazing Opening Monologue

 

Not only did Best Actress winner Glenn Close rule at the Awards, she and her adorable Havanese dog Pip charmed on the Blue Carpet, she dressed in a shimmery pink lamé suit, before getting her own private dinner hosted by Chanel at STK. Pip also attended.

The Cast of Suspiria also ruled the Blue Carpet with Mother Suspiriorum herself, Dakota Johnson, leading the charge and giving her time generously to fans who queued on the sand for a chance to see the stars.

 

See some of our Snaps:

 

Glenn Close x Pip

 

Aubrey Plaza

 

Barry Jenkins and “If Beale Street Could Talk” Team

 

Joaquin Phoenix

 

Josh Hamilton, Elsie Fisher x Bo Burnham

 

Jon Hamm

 

Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth and the ladies of Suspiria

 

Chloë Grace Moretz x Riley Keough

 

John Waters

 

Ray Romano x Mark Duplass

 

Yalitza Aparicio x Javier Bardem

 

Taraji P. Henson x Shangela

 

You also cannot miss Shangela’s daring performance

 

 

Finn Wolfhard

 

Carey Mulligan x Zoe Kazan

 

Kiki Layne

 

Jeff Witty x Nicole Holofcener

 

Debra Granik

 

Toni Collette

 

Regina Hall

 

Regina King

 

Morgan Neville

 

 

Boots Riley

 

Richard E. Grant

 

Viggo Mortensen

 

Alfonso Cuarón

 

Alfonso Cuarón with Thomasin McKenzie

 

Complete list of winners here.

We attended together with our friends at Hollywood Suite, the exclusive broadcaster of the Spirit Awards and will never forget this amazing journey. Their Cam Maitland did an awesome job interviewing talent on the Blue Carpet which will air at later points. You can subscribe via your television provider at $6 per month, plus basic cable. Hollywoodsuite.com.

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

 

Photos taken on the Nikon D3400.