Arguably the biggest surprise at the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards was the small but loud protest over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war outside the ceremony, the chants from which could be heard inside the tent in Santa Monica and on the livestream on Film Independent’s YouTube channel.
The demonstration was the first to disrupt a major awards show this season.
But as host Aidy Bryant and presenters and winners forged ahead with the ceremony, some acknowledging the protest, there were still some surprises in terms of which films won which awards — or didn’t win.
After seemingly losing its awards momentum with the Screen Actors Guild and Oscar nominations last month, May December could’ve had a big day at the Spirit Awards, as the Todd Haynes film, starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, was up for five awards — the same number of nominations received by best feature and director...
The demonstration was the first to disrupt a major awards show this season.
But as host Aidy Bryant and presenters and winners forged ahead with the ceremony, some acknowledging the protest, there were still some surprises in terms of which films won which awards — or didn’t win.
After seemingly losing its awards momentum with the Screen Actors Guild and Oscar nominations last month, May December could’ve had a big day at the Spirit Awards, as the Todd Haynes film, starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, was up for five awards — the same number of nominations received by best feature and director...
- 2/26/2024
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Greta Lee and Teo Yoo in ‘Past Lives’ (Photo Credit: Jon Pack / Courtesy of A24)
Past Lives took home top film honors at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, held on February 25th in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. The film also earned Celine Song the Best Director award, with American Fiction‘s Cord Jefferson and May December‘s Samy Burch earning screenplay honors.
On the television side, The Last of Us collected two awards: Nick Offerman for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series and Keivonn Montreal Woodard for Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series. Beef also netted two wins, with Ali Wong awarded Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series and the show earning the Best New Scripted Series award.
2024 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations
Best Feature (Award given to the producer.)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin,...
Past Lives took home top film honors at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, held on February 25th in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. The film also earned Celine Song the Best Director award, with American Fiction‘s Cord Jefferson and May December‘s Samy Burch earning screenplay honors.
On the television side, The Last of Us collected two awards: Nick Offerman for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series and Keivonn Montreal Woodard for Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series. Beef also netted two wins, with Ali Wong awarded Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series and the show earning the Best New Scripted Series award.
2024 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations
Best Feature (Award given to the producer.)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Another big award show took place this weekend (in addition to the SAG Awards), the Film Independent Spirit Awards, which celebrates indie film and TV. One thing about this awards show is that their idea of independent sometimes makes me scratch my head a bit, with HBO’s big-budget The Last of Us nominated a whole bunch in the TV category, along with Netflix’s Beef and several other streaming shows, which I’m not sure one could call independent. For films, there’s a $30 million budget cap. For TV, I’m honestly not sure what the benchmark is because Last of Us was notoriously an expensive show to shoot, costing at least $100 million.
Indeed, The Last of Us won some key awards on the TV side, winning Best Supporting Performance (for Nick Offerman) and Best Breakthrough Performance (for Keivonn Montreal Woodard). Over on the film side, American Fiction and...
Indeed, The Last of Us won some key awards on the TV side, winning Best Supporting Performance (for Nick Offerman) and Best Breakthrough Performance (for Keivonn Montreal Woodard). Over on the film side, American Fiction and...
- 2/26/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Past Lives was named best feature at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which were handed out Sunday afternoon in Santa Monica.
In addition, Celine Song was named best director for her work on the film.
Elsewhere, Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the Spirit Award for best supporting performance, for her role in The Holdovers, repeating her win from Saturday night’s SAG Awards and other shows this awards season. Her co-star, Dominic Sessa, won the Spirit Award for best breakthrough performance.
American Fiction also collected two trophies: Cord Jefferson won the award for best screenplay, while Jeffrey Wright won for best lead performance.
May December won the award for best first screenplay for Samy Burch (story by Burch and Alex Mechanik). Four Daughters was named best documentary.
On the TV side, Beef was named best new scripted series, while Ali Wong won best lead performance for her role in the show,...
In addition, Celine Song was named best director for her work on the film.
Elsewhere, Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the Spirit Award for best supporting performance, for her role in The Holdovers, repeating her win from Saturday night’s SAG Awards and other shows this awards season. Her co-star, Dominic Sessa, won the Spirit Award for best breakthrough performance.
American Fiction also collected two trophies: Cord Jefferson won the award for best screenplay, while Jeffrey Wright won for best lead performance.
May December won the award for best first screenplay for Samy Burch (story by Burch and Alex Mechanik). Four Daughters was named best documentary.
On the TV side, Beef was named best new scripted series, while Ali Wong won best lead performance for her role in the show,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The best in independent film and television were honored at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards!
Plenty of A-List stars were in attendance at the event on Sunday afternoon (February 25) at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif.
Movies are only eligible for a Spirit Award if they have a budget of less than $30 million, so there are some awards favorites like Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Killers of the Flower Moon that are not nominated.
American Fiction, May December, and Past Lives lead the pack this year with five nominations each.
Make sure to check out our post with photos of Every celeb who attended the event! Also check out our best dressed list.
Head inside to see the full list of winners…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of winners…
Best Feature (Award given to the producer)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson,...
Plenty of A-List stars were in attendance at the event on Sunday afternoon (February 25) at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif.
Movies are only eligible for a Spirit Award if they have a budget of less than $30 million, so there are some awards favorites like Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Killers of the Flower Moon that are not nominated.
American Fiction, May December, and Past Lives lead the pack this year with five nominations each.
Make sure to check out our post with photos of Every celeb who attended the event! Also check out our best dressed list.
Head inside to see the full list of winners…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of winners…
Best Feature (Award given to the producer)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Da’Vine Joy Randolph joked about the struggles of filming The Holdovers, including a lack of “heated seats during a Boston winter,” and other resources but also praised independent filmmaking as “the beating heart of this industry” while accepting the Film Independent Spirit Award for best supporting performance on Sunday.
“I often joke that making Holdovers felt like doing a student film,” she said. “Whatever resources we lacked, such as heated seats during a Boston winter, we made up for and care and determination every day. I was astonished by the level of innovation and creativity that our cast and crew exhibited in order to turn what limited resources we had into an incredible piece of art, all of which is a beautiful testament of what can happen when a small group of passionate people are given a chance to come together and tell the story.”
Randolph won the award...
“I often joke that making Holdovers felt like doing a student film,” she said. “Whatever resources we lacked, such as heated seats during a Boston winter, we made up for and care and determination every day. I was astonished by the level of innovation and creativity that our cast and crew exhibited in order to turn what limited resources we had into an incredible piece of art, all of which is a beautiful testament of what can happen when a small group of passionate people are given a chance to come together and tell the story.”
Randolph won the award...
- 2/25/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2024 Independent Spirit Awards took place on Sunday at the traditional Santa Monica beach tent location, with Aidy Bryant hosting. “Past Lives” took home the coveted Best Feature award, with “Beef” being honored as Best New Scripted Series. Check out the full list of winners and nominees below.
Best Feature
“Past Lives”
Producers: David Hinojosa, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon
“All of Us Strangers”
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
“American Fiction”
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
“May December”
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell, Grant S. Johnson, Pamela Koffler, Tyler W. Konney, Sophie Mas, Natalie Portman, Christine Vachon
“Passages”
Producers: Michel Merkt, Saïd Ben Saïd
“We Grown Now”
Producers: Minhal Baig, Joe Pirro
Best Lead Performance
Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction”
Jessica Chastain, “Memory”
Greta Lee, “Past Lives”
Trace Lysette, “Monica”
Natalie Portman, “May December”
Judy Reyes, “Birth/Rebirth”
Franz Rogowski, “Passages”
Andrew Scott, “All of Us Strangers”
Teyana Taylor,...
Best Feature
“Past Lives”
Producers: David Hinojosa, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon
“All of Us Strangers”
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
“American Fiction”
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
“May December”
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell, Grant S. Johnson, Pamela Koffler, Tyler W. Konney, Sophie Mas, Natalie Portman, Christine Vachon
“Passages”
Producers: Michel Merkt, Saïd Ben Saïd
“We Grown Now”
Producers: Minhal Baig, Joe Pirro
Best Lead Performance
Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction”
Jessica Chastain, “Memory”
Greta Lee, “Past Lives”
Trace Lysette, “Monica”
Natalie Portman, “May December”
Judy Reyes, “Birth/Rebirth”
Franz Rogowski, “Passages”
Andrew Scott, “All of Us Strangers”
Teyana Taylor,...
- 2/25/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Live from a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, California, it’s the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards! This year’s ceremony, which kicked off this afternoon, was hosted by “Saturday Night Live” alum Aidy Bryant and feted the best in indie film and TV.
This year’s pack of nominees included a slew of Oscar contenders and a number of indie gems, all competing for the biggest prizes in the indie sphere.
Celine Song’s “Past Lives” won Best Feature (which the filmmaker picked up just minutes after winning Best Director as well), while “The Holdovers” and “American Fiction” also enjoyed multiple wins, including a Best Performance win for “American Fiction” star Jeffrey Wright and Best Screenplay for writer Cord Jefferson, and a Best Supporting Performance win for “The Holdovers” standout Da’Vine Joy Randolph and a Breakthrough Performance win for newbie Dominic Sessa.
Thanks to the Spirits’ various TV categories,...
This year’s pack of nominees included a slew of Oscar contenders and a number of indie gems, all competing for the biggest prizes in the indie sphere.
Celine Song’s “Past Lives” won Best Feature (which the filmmaker picked up just minutes after winning Best Director as well), while “The Holdovers” and “American Fiction” also enjoyed multiple wins, including a Best Performance win for “American Fiction” star Jeffrey Wright and Best Screenplay for writer Cord Jefferson, and a Best Supporting Performance win for “The Holdovers” standout Da’Vine Joy Randolph and a Breakthrough Performance win for newbie Dominic Sessa.
Thanks to the Spirits’ various TV categories,...
- 2/25/2024
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Gold Derby is backstage at the 39th Annual Indie Spirit Awards on the beach in Santa Monica, CA on Sunday, February 25, hosted by comedian, actress and “SNL” alumnus Aidy Bryant. We’ll bring you all of the up-to-date details on the presenters, nominees and winners. (See the complete winners list here.) Read on for the 2024 Spirits live blog.
The kudofest is streaming live on IMDb’s YouTube Channel as well as Film Independent’s YouTube and Twitter accounts starting at 2 p.m. Pst/5 p.m. Est.
On the film side, the nominations were dominated by “American Fiction,” “Past Lives” and “May December,” which picked up five nods apiece. Those three films are up for Best Feature along with “All of Us Strangers,” “Passages” and “We Grown Now.” Since 2012, Film Independent and the Spirits have forecast 7 of 12 Best Picture winners at the Academy Awards, including “The Artist” (2012), “12 Years a Slave...
The kudofest is streaming live on IMDb’s YouTube Channel as well as Film Independent’s YouTube and Twitter accounts starting at 2 p.m. Pst/5 p.m. Est.
On the film side, the nominations were dominated by “American Fiction,” “Past Lives” and “May December,” which picked up five nods apiece. Those three films are up for Best Feature along with “All of Us Strangers,” “Passages” and “We Grown Now.” Since 2012, Film Independent and the Spirits have forecast 7 of 12 Best Picture winners at the Academy Awards, including “The Artist” (2012), “12 Years a Slave...
- 2/25/2024
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
The 39th Independent Spirit Awards will stream live on Film Independent and IMDb’s YouTube channels on Sunday, February 25. Scroll down to see our official odds in all 12 film categories (with our predicted winners highlighted in gold) and be sure to make or update your own predictions while there’s still time.
Heading into the ceremony, which will be hosted by comic actress Aidy Bryant, “American Fiction,” “May December,” and “Past Lives” stand as the year’s nominations leaders with five apiece. They will all face off in the top category of Best Picture, along with “Passages” (four total bids), “All of Us Strangers” (three), and “We Grown Now” (three).
Last year’s Spirit Awards previewed the Oscars success of “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which left both ceremonies with seven wins including Best Picture. Over the years, only eight recipients of the academy’s highest honor have first clinched the corresponding Spirit Award,...
Heading into the ceremony, which will be hosted by comic actress Aidy Bryant, “American Fiction,” “May December,” and “Past Lives” stand as the year’s nominations leaders with five apiece. They will all face off in the top category of Best Picture, along with “Passages” (four total bids), “All of Us Strangers” (three), and “We Grown Now” (three).
Last year’s Spirit Awards previewed the Oscars success of “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which left both ceremonies with seven wins including Best Picture. Over the years, only eight recipients of the academy’s highest honor have first clinched the corresponding Spirit Award,...
- 2/23/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Searchlight’s All of Us Strangers leads the 2024 Dorian Awards film nominations with nine, followed by the Warner Bros juggernaut Barbie with seven. Netflix’s May December is next with six noms, A24’s Past Lives (five) and Searchlight’s Poor Things (four). All five will compete for the marquee Best Film of the Year prize, presented by Galeca: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.
All of Us Strangers will face off against MGM’s Bottoms, Mubi/Sbs’ Passages, Netfix’s Rustin (Netflix and Amazon MGM’s Saltburn for LGBTQ Film of the Year.
The Director of the Year race pits Oscar-snubbed Barbie helmer Greta Gerwig against Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers), Todd Haynes (May December), Christopher Nolan (Universal’s Oppenheimer) and Celine Song (Past Lives).
Along with such offbeat categories as Campy Flick and Unsung Film of the year, the Dorians will debut three new ones in 2024: LGBTQ Screenplay of the Year,...
All of Us Strangers will face off against MGM’s Bottoms, Mubi/Sbs’ Passages, Netfix’s Rustin (Netflix and Amazon MGM’s Saltburn for LGBTQ Film of the Year.
The Director of the Year race pits Oscar-snubbed Barbie helmer Greta Gerwig against Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers), Todd Haynes (May December), Christopher Nolan (Universal’s Oppenheimer) and Celine Song (Past Lives).
Along with such offbeat categories as Campy Flick and Unsung Film of the year, the Dorians will debut three new ones in 2024: LGBTQ Screenplay of the Year,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Andrew Haigh’s “All of Us Strangers” led nominations Monday for the 15th Dorian Film Awards, as voted on by the Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, with nine nominations, including Film of the Year, LGBTQ Film of the Year, Director of the Year, co-lead Andrew Scott and supporting actress Claire Foy.
The group’s more than 500 entertainment critics and journalists also handed out nods to “Barbie,” which scored seven nominations; followed by Todd Haynes’ “May December” with six; and Celine Song’s “Past Lives” with five, including Director of the Year.
While the Oscars overlooked “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig this year, she’s very much in the running at this awards show, as is Song, Haynes, and Haigh.
“Bottoms” star Ayo Edebiri, who just collected her first Emmy for “The Bear,” is nominated in two categories: “We’re Wilde About You!” Rising Star Award and Wilde Artist Award, given to...
The group’s more than 500 entertainment critics and journalists also handed out nods to “Barbie,” which scored seven nominations; followed by Todd Haynes’ “May December” with six; and Celine Song’s “Past Lives” with five, including Director of the Year.
While the Oscars overlooked “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig this year, she’s very much in the running at this awards show, as is Song, Haynes, and Haigh.
“Bottoms” star Ayo Edebiri, who just collected her first Emmy for “The Bear,” is nominated in two categories: “We’re Wilde About You!” Rising Star Award and Wilde Artist Award, given to...
- 2/6/2024
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Galeca: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announced the nominees of the 15th Dorian Film Awards, and Searchlight’s All of Us Strangers leads the nominations with nine.
The Andrew Haigh-written and -directed drama earned nods for film of the year, LGBTQ film of the year and genre film of the year, with Haigh also landing nods for best director and best screenplay. Andrew Scott was nominated for his lead performance, while Claire Foy and Paul Mescal are both nominated in best supporting performance. (The Dorians’ acting categories are gender neutral, with 10 contenders in both categories.)
Following in All of Us Strangers‘ lead is Warner Bros.’ Barbie, which scored seven noms, including film of the year, best director for Greta Gerwig (also nominated for writing the screenplay with partner Noah Baumbach), best supporting performance (Ryan Gosling) and best film music.
The three remaining film of the year nominees are Netflix’s May December,...
The Andrew Haigh-written and -directed drama earned nods for film of the year, LGBTQ film of the year and genre film of the year, with Haigh also landing nods for best director and best screenplay. Andrew Scott was nominated for his lead performance, while Claire Foy and Paul Mescal are both nominated in best supporting performance. (The Dorians’ acting categories are gender neutral, with 10 contenders in both categories.)
Following in All of Us Strangers‘ lead is Warner Bros.’ Barbie, which scored seven noms, including film of the year, best director for Greta Gerwig (also nominated for writing the screenplay with partner Noah Baumbach), best supporting performance (Ryan Gosling) and best film music.
The three remaining film of the year nominees are Netflix’s May December,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: UTA has signed writer, director, comedian and actor Jordan Firstman (Rotting in the Sun) for representation in all areas, with an eye toward securing him new opportunities across film, television, theater and more.
Firstman is coming off of his breakout starring role in the darkly comedic thriller Rotting in the Sun, co-written and directed by Sebastián Silva, which was acquired by Mubi after world premiering at Sundance 2023. Silva and Firstman play versions of themselves in the pic, which went on to be nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards. Pic finds Silva detached from life, struggling to succeed in the art world and habitually taking ketamine. When he meets social media influencer Firstman at a nudist beach, the two discuss collaborating, but fate has other plans.
Previously, Firstman has also been seen on FX’s Dave and the Disney+ Marvel series Ms. Marvel, as well as in Kenya Barris’s...
Firstman is coming off of his breakout starring role in the darkly comedic thriller Rotting in the Sun, co-written and directed by Sebastián Silva, which was acquired by Mubi after world premiering at Sundance 2023. Silva and Firstman play versions of themselves in the pic, which went on to be nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards. Pic finds Silva detached from life, struggling to succeed in the art world and habitually taking ketamine. When he meets social media influencer Firstman at a nudist beach, the two discuss collaborating, but fate has other plans.
Previously, Firstman has also been seen on FX’s Dave and the Disney+ Marvel series Ms. Marvel, as well as in Kenya Barris’s...
- 1/25/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Searching for and listening to movie soundtrack music for the year is an active quest of curiosity, discovery, and collage. For those fatigued and pushing through the chilliest season, I hope this mix can provide both energy and warmth, as it did to me in making it.Trends in film music over the last decade are continuing strong in 2023, particularly in the ambition of independent auteurs using complex and unusual scoring. The foundation for this mix is Angela Schanelec's beautiful and aptly titled Music, which provides both diegetic and non-diegetic moments to guide us. Samples range from The Old Oak, in which classical choral choir meets Syrian guitar and words of hope that now hit harder than ever, to a mix of sentimental strings courtesy of the legendary Joe Hisaishi. Abstract experimental sounds by two completely different kinds of artists—Harmony Korine and Thomas Newman—are mixed with sliced...
- 1/4/2024
- MUBI
Following The Film Stage’s collective top 50 films of 2023, as part of our year-end coverage, our contributors are sharing their personal top 10 lists.
Last year was my first as an official resident of Madrid (where I’m wrapping up my Ma in Cultural Theory and Criticism) and I’m happy to report the most extraordinary thing occurred: I fell in love with going to the movies again. I left New York City before movie theaters reopened in 2021, and the brief, in-between, time I spent in Honduras (one of the most dangerous countries in the world) made me even more of a movie recluse (insert Leo on the couch meme). Just when I felt like a jaded noir detective who’d fully embraced screening links, Madrid’s cinephile offerings slowly seduced me.
I saw 2022 gems like Aftersun inside a repurposed porn theater complete with velvet tapestry and a dog who sat...
Last year was my first as an official resident of Madrid (where I’m wrapping up my Ma in Cultural Theory and Criticism) and I’m happy to report the most extraordinary thing occurred: I fell in love with going to the movies again. I left New York City before movie theaters reopened in 2021, and the brief, in-between, time I spent in Honduras (one of the most dangerous countries in the world) made me even more of a movie recluse (insert Leo on the couch meme). Just when I felt like a jaded noir detective who’d fully embraced screening links, Madrid’s cinephile offerings slowly seduced me.
I saw 2022 gems like Aftersun inside a repurposed porn theater complete with velvet tapestry and a dog who sat...
- 1/4/2024
- by Jose Solís
- The Film Stage
The literal meaning of the term “thriller” is an exciting story, be it a movie or a book. Naturally, you look for a certain kind of movie when you’re in the mood for watching thrillers. But genre-mashup has become a very real thing with movies these days, and that has only broadened the horizons of the stories being explored. The year 2023 is burning proof of that. So here we are, with a list of the best thrillers of the year, where you’re going to find the typical stuff along with some films that might not fit into the genre but have enough thrill in them to make it on the list.
10. Sharper
Funny how Sharper had Sebastian Stan and Julianne Moore playing a “mother-son” duo, but instead of building the film on that amusing casting, the director was bold enough to bring in a lot of twists and turns.
10. Sharper
Funny how Sharper had Sebastian Stan and Julianne Moore playing a “mother-son” duo, but instead of building the film on that amusing casting, the director was bold enough to bring in a lot of twists and turns.
- 12/30/2023
- by Rohitavra Majumdar
- Film Fugitives
If there’s one takeaway from the LGBTQ narrative films that came into the world and across our screens this year, it’s the sheer variety of the stories there are to tell.
From real-world historical biopics and inspirational sports dramas, to tender love stories and raunchy comedies, there really was something for everyone this year. Captivating characters, fearless performances and narrative tapestries that defy convention and troublesome tropes all reigned supreme. As such, here are some of the best we got.
All of Us Strangers “All of Us Strangers” (Credit: Searchlight Pictures)
A new movie from the director of “Weekend” starring the Hot Priest from “Fleabag” and everyone’s favorite internet boyfriend should be enough to catch the interest of anyone listening — and “All of Us Strangers” lives up to that potential and then some. This equal parts sexy and emotionally devastating romance stars Andrew Scott as an isolated writer who,...
From real-world historical biopics and inspirational sports dramas, to tender love stories and raunchy comedies, there really was something for everyone this year. Captivating characters, fearless performances and narrative tapestries that defy convention and troublesome tropes all reigned supreme. As such, here are some of the best we got.
All of Us Strangers “All of Us Strangers” (Credit: Searchlight Pictures)
A new movie from the director of “Weekend” starring the Hot Priest from “Fleabag” and everyone’s favorite internet boyfriend should be enough to catch the interest of anyone listening — and “All of Us Strangers” lives up to that potential and then some. This equal parts sexy and emotionally devastating romance stars Andrew Scott as an isolated writer who,...
- 12/29/2023
- by Benjamin Lindsay
- The Wrap
Following The Film Stage’s collective top 50 films of 2023, as part of our year-end coverage, our contributors are sharing their personal top 10 lists.
I love going to the movies every year, but I really loved going to the movies this year. I saw Knock at the Cabin in Providence, I saw May December in Tallinn. I saw Enys Men in a small theater at Village East where it felt like everyone in the audience turned against the film but me. Somehow I liked Equalizer 3 despite loathing the other two. The worst movie I saw in theaters was Fast X, which I watched on an edible that put me to sleep during a set piece. I missed out on seeing Magic Mike’s Last Dance with some friends who wound up running into Christopher Nolan going to see Skinamarink. I loved breaking Yom Kippur fast during The Beast (out next year—I...
I love going to the movies every year, but I really loved going to the movies this year. I saw Knock at the Cabin in Providence, I saw May December in Tallinn. I saw Enys Men in a small theater at Village East where it felt like everyone in the audience turned against the film but me. Somehow I liked Equalizer 3 despite loathing the other two. The worst movie I saw in theaters was Fast X, which I watched on an edible that put me to sleep during a set piece. I missed out on seeing Magic Mike’s Last Dance with some friends who wound up running into Christopher Nolan going to see Skinamarink. I loved breaking Yom Kippur fast during The Beast (out next year—I...
- 12/28/2023
- by Fran Hoepfner
- The Film Stage
To celebrate the end of another great year in independent film, Film Independent is re-posting some of our favorite blogs of 2023. And here’s a reminder: there’s still time to make a tax-deductible donation to Film Independent in support of all the hard work our community does year-round. Not a Member yet? Become one by January 5 to watch the nominees for the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards and vote for the winners. Happy New Year!
“It’s not gonna feel like your average Live Read,” warns Film Independent President Josh Welsh, as he introduces Ruben Östlund to begin Film Independent Presents‘ February 27 staging of the filmmaker’s Academy Award-nominated screenplay for his Palm d’Or winning 2022 capitalism-and-sociology satire, Triangle of Sadness.
A previous Film Independent Spirit Award nominee for 2015’s Force Majeure, Östlund’s unconventional Live Read “guest director” gig is an exercise in anarchy, with the stage direction rich in commentary,...
“It’s not gonna feel like your average Live Read,” warns Film Independent President Josh Welsh, as he introduces Ruben Östlund to begin Film Independent Presents‘ February 27 staging of the filmmaker’s Academy Award-nominated screenplay for his Palm d’Or winning 2022 capitalism-and-sociology satire, Triangle of Sadness.
A previous Film Independent Spirit Award nominee for 2015’s Force Majeure, Östlund’s unconventional Live Read “guest director” gig is an exercise in anarchy, with the stage direction rich in commentary,...
- 12/27/2023
- by Cortney Matz
- Film Independent News & More
As someone old enough to remember when the prospect of seeing people hump each other on screen was generally considered to be more of a feature of the film-going experience than a bug, I grew bored of social media’s never-ending sex scene discourse long before 2023 began. We all know the reasons why movies aren’t as carnal as they used to be, just as we’re all familiar with the theories about why younger audiences who came of age on the internet might see that as a good thing (e.g. the widespread belief that social isolation and the emergent focus on sexual abuse have made desire seem tantamount to violence). These self-evident truths have been the subject of a million quote-RTs over the last several years, and they will continue to haunt our cursed “For You” tabs until the hellscape formally known as Twitter finally implodes from the...
- 12/14/2023
- by David Ehrlich, Christian Zilko, Alison Foreman and Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
It wasn’t just the behemoth of Barbenheimer that had critics and film nerds alike wearing out every variation of the maxim “Movies are back, baby!” While a glance at any of our past year-end film roundups easily puts the lie to the notion that the movies ever meaningfully “went away,” it’s also true that 2023 had something to offer just about everyone with a generosity that feels like a throwback. The idea of movies as a zeitgeisty, mass-appeal art form didn’t just get a stay of execution in 2023—it flourished with the vibrancy of a brand-new medium, even as most of those heralding cinema’s resurgence to cultural dominance were subconsciously doing so under the regressive guise of returning to “the way things used to be.”
The buy-in came not only from the perpetually undernourished Marvel fanboys, but also from those of us who, thanks to a series of high-profile financial wipeouts,...
The buy-in came not only from the perpetually undernourished Marvel fanboys, but also from those of us who, thanks to a series of high-profile financial wipeouts,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Slant Staff
- Slant Magazine
“American Fiction,” “May December” y “Past Lives” lideran los Spirit awards 2024.
Ayer se anunciaron los nominados a los Spirit Awards, conocidos como “Film Independent Spirit Awards”, unospremios cinematográficos que honran los logros en la producción de películas independientes en los Estados Unidos. Los ganadores de los premios Spirit 2024 se conocerán en la ceremonia del 25 de febrero. Aquí os dejamos con la lista de los nominados de esta edición:
Mejor PELÍCULA
All of Us Strangers
American Fiction
May December
Passages
Past Lives
We Grown Now
Mejor DIRECCIÓN
Andrew Haigh, All of Us Strangers
Todd Haynes, May December
William Oldroyd, Eileen
Celine Song, Past Lives
Ira Sachs, Passages
Mejor ACTUACIÓN Protagonista
Jessica Chastain, Memory
Greta Lee, Past Lives
Trace Lysette, Monica
Natalie Portman, May December
Judy Reyes, Birth/Rebirth
Franz Rogowski, Passages
Andrew Scott, All of Us Strangers
Teyana Taylor, A Thousand and One
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
Teo Yoo, Past Lives...
Ayer se anunciaron los nominados a los Spirit Awards, conocidos como “Film Independent Spirit Awards”, unospremios cinematográficos que honran los logros en la producción de películas independientes en los Estados Unidos. Los ganadores de los premios Spirit 2024 se conocerán en la ceremonia del 25 de febrero. Aquí os dejamos con la lista de los nominados de esta edición:
Mejor PELÍCULA
All of Us Strangers
American Fiction
May December
Passages
Past Lives
We Grown Now
Mejor DIRECCIÓN
Andrew Haigh, All of Us Strangers
Todd Haynes, May December
William Oldroyd, Eileen
Celine Song, Past Lives
Ira Sachs, Passages
Mejor ACTUACIÓN Protagonista
Jessica Chastain, Memory
Greta Lee, Past Lives
Trace Lysette, Monica
Natalie Portman, May December
Judy Reyes, Birth/Rebirth
Franz Rogowski, Passages
Andrew Scott, All of Us Strangers
Teyana Taylor, A Thousand and One
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
Teo Yoo, Past Lives...
- 12/6/2023
- by Marta Medina
- mundoCine
While the likes of Oppenheimer, Barbie, and Killers of the Moon will likely battle it out at the Oscars, Film Independent Spirit Awards is putting the spotlight on the indie productions of the year, with budget ranges from $10,000 to $28 million. May December, Past Lives, and American Fiction lead the nominations for the 39th ceremony, each taking five nods.
Other highlights include All of Us Strangers and Passages for Best Feature, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt and Earth Mama for Best First Feature, Kokomo City and The Mother of All Lies for Best Documentary, Glenn Howerton for BlackBerry, Marin Ireland and Anne Hathaway for Eileen, Marshawn Lynch for Bottoms, How to Blow Up a Pipeline for Best Editing, Godland and Tótem for Best International Film, and more.
See the nominations below ahead of the ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 (a full two weeks before the Oscars), hosted by Aidy Bryant.
Best...
Other highlights include All of Us Strangers and Passages for Best Feature, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt and Earth Mama for Best First Feature, Kokomo City and The Mother of All Lies for Best Documentary, Glenn Howerton for BlackBerry, Marin Ireland and Anne Hathaway for Eileen, Marshawn Lynch for Bottoms, How to Blow Up a Pipeline for Best Editing, Godland and Tótem for Best International Film, and more.
See the nominations below ahead of the ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 (a full two weeks before the Oscars), hosted by Aidy Bryant.
Best...
- 12/5/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
“American Fiction,” “May December” and “Past Lives” shared the spotlight with five nominations apiece to lead the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards announced Tuesday. The trio all landed bids for Best Feature along with “Passages,” “All of Us Strangers” and “We Grown Now.”
“American Fiction” was also cited for its screenplay (Cord Jefferson), for Jeffrey Wright’s lead performance and for Sterling K. Brown’s and Erika Alexander’s supporting work. “May December” also landed bids for Best Director (Todd Haynes) and Best First Screenplay (Sammy Burch) as well as for Natalie Portman’s lead performance and Charles Melton’s support. And “Past Lives” was singled out for Celine Song’s screenplay and direction and the lead performances of Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. See the full list of nominees here.
Next with four nominations apiece were “Passages” and the Alexander Payne-directed “The Holdovers.” Besides its Best Feature bid, “Passages...
“American Fiction” was also cited for its screenplay (Cord Jefferson), for Jeffrey Wright’s lead performance and for Sterling K. Brown’s and Erika Alexander’s supporting work. “May December” also landed bids for Best Director (Todd Haynes) and Best First Screenplay (Sammy Burch) as well as for Natalie Portman’s lead performance and Charles Melton’s support. And “Past Lives” was singled out for Celine Song’s screenplay and direction and the lead performances of Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. See the full list of nominees here.
Next with four nominations apiece were “Passages” and the Alexander Payne-directed “The Holdovers.” Besides its Best Feature bid, “Passages...
- 12/5/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Erika Alexander stars as Coraline and Jeffrey Wright as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison in ‘American Fiction’ (Photo credit: Claire Folger © 2023 Orion Releasing LLC)
American Fiction, Past Lives, and May December lead the list of the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Each of the three films picked up five nominations and will be going head-to-head in the Best Film and Best Supporting Performance categories. Films and TV shows earning four nominations included The Holdovers, I’m a Virgo, The Last of Us, and Passages.
The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be held on February 25 on the beach in Santa Monica. Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live) is on board to host.
“This year’s exciting group of Spirit Award nominees reflect the undeniable strength and vitality of independent storytelling – this is the beating heart of film culture today,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “It’s especially thrilling to see so many nominees...
American Fiction, Past Lives, and May December lead the list of the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Each of the three films picked up five nominations and will be going head-to-head in the Best Film and Best Supporting Performance categories. Films and TV shows earning four nominations included The Holdovers, I’m a Virgo, The Last of Us, and Passages.
The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be held on February 25 on the beach in Santa Monica. Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live) is on board to host.
“This year’s exciting group of Spirit Award nominees reflect the undeniable strength and vitality of independent storytelling – this is the beating heart of film culture today,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “It’s especially thrilling to see so many nominees...
- 12/5/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Ceremony to take place on Santa Monica Beach on February 25, 2024.
The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations have been announced and May December, American Fiction, and Past Lives lead the field with five nods apiece.
The Holdovers earned four and there were three for All Of Us Strangers – winner of seven Bifas at the weekend – as the nominations were announced on Tuesday. A24 leads the studio field with 11 nominations, followed by Netflix on 10.
Andrew Scott for All Of Us Strangers, Jessica Chastain for Memory, Greta Lee for Past Lives, Franz Rogowski for Passages, and Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction are...
The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations have been announced and May December, American Fiction, and Past Lives lead the field with five nods apiece.
The Holdovers earned four and there were three for All Of Us Strangers – winner of seven Bifas at the weekend – as the nominations were announced on Tuesday. A24 leads the studio field with 11 nominations, followed by Netflix on 10.
Andrew Scott for All Of Us Strangers, Jessica Chastain for Memory, Greta Lee for Past Lives, Franz Rogowski for Passages, and Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction are...
- 12/5/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Ceremony to take place on Santa Monica Beach on February 25, 2024.
The Film Independent 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced and May December, American Fiction, and Past Lives lead the field with five nods apiece.
The Holdovers earned four and All Of Us Strangers three as the nominations were announced on Tuesday. A24 leads the studio field with 11 nominations, followed by Netflix on 10.
Andrew Scott for All of Us Strangers, Jessica Chastain for Memory, Greta Lee for Past Lives, Franz Rogowski for Passages, and Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction are in the running fort the gender-neutral lead acting category.
The Film Independent 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced and May December, American Fiction, and Past Lives lead the field with five nods apiece.
The Holdovers earned four and All Of Us Strangers three as the nominations were announced on Tuesday. A24 leads the studio field with 11 nominations, followed by Netflix on 10.
Andrew Scott for All of Us Strangers, Jessica Chastain for Memory, Greta Lee for Past Lives, Franz Rogowski for Passages, and Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction are in the running fort the gender-neutral lead acting category.
- 12/5/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The 2024 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations — see the full list below — were unveiled on Tuesday, December 5, crowning the past year’s achievements in indie film. The actual awards ceremony, taking place on February 24, 2024 in the usual tent on the beach in Santa Monica, is a little less than three months away, but the films nominated today will carry new momentum into the rest of awards season, including the Oscar race. Joel Kim Booster (“Fire Island”) and Natalie Morales (“No Hard Feelings”) were the presenters of the nominees.
“American Fiction,” “May December,” and “Past Lives” led the Indie Spirits noms with five each, including each of them getting a nod for Best Feature. Todd Haynes for “May December” and Celine Song for “Past Lives” also received Best Director nods. Natalie Portman for “May December,” Greta Lee for “Past Lives,” and Jeffrey Wright for “American Fiction” also received Best Lead Performance nods.
“American Fiction,” “May December,” and “Past Lives” led the Indie Spirits noms with five each, including each of them getting a nod for Best Feature. Todd Haynes for “May December” and Celine Song for “Past Lives” also received Best Director nods. Natalie Portman for “May December,” Greta Lee for “Past Lives,” and Jeffrey Wright for “American Fiction” also received Best Lead Performance nods.
- 12/5/2023
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
The full list of nominations for the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards has been announced!
Movies are only eligible for a Spirit Award if they have a budget of less than $30 million, so there are some awards favorites like Maestro and Killers of the Flower Moon that are not nominated here.
Aidy Bryant is set to host the 2024 awards ceremony, which will take place on February 25. The event will no longer air on television and will instead stream on YouTube.
American Fiction, May December, and Past Lives lead the pack this year with five nominations each.
Head inside to check out the full list of nominations…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of nominations…
Best Feature (Award given to the producer)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
May December
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell,...
Movies are only eligible for a Spirit Award if they have a budget of less than $30 million, so there are some awards favorites like Maestro and Killers of the Flower Moon that are not nominated here.
Aidy Bryant is set to host the 2024 awards ceremony, which will take place on February 25. The event will no longer air on television and will instead stream on YouTube.
American Fiction, May December, and Past Lives lead the pack this year with five nominations each.
Head inside to check out the full list of nominations…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of nominations…
Best Feature (Award given to the producer)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
May December
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Film Independent announced the 2024 Spirit Award nominees in all the film and TV categories on Tuesday, Dec 5. Only American productions with budgets of less than $30 million were eligible for consideration in the film races. Winners will be revealed on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, at a ceremony hosted by Aidy Bryant.
Last year, these kudos eliminated the four gendered acting awards and replaced them with just two prizes: lead and supporting performances (each has 10 nominees). It also added a new category, Best Breakthrough Performance, which has five contenders.
See the full list of 2024 Spirit Awards nominations for film and TV below.
Film
Best Picture
“All of Us Strangers”
“American Fiction”
“May December”
“Passages”
“Past Lives”
“We Grown Now”
Best Director
Andrew Haigh, “All of Us Strangers”
Todd Haynes, “May December”
William Oldroyd, “Eileen”
Ira Sachs, “Passages”
Celine Song, “Past Lives”
Best Lead Performance
Jessica Chastain, “Memory”
Greta Lee, “Past Lives”
Trace Lysette, “Monica”
Natalie Portman,...
Last year, these kudos eliminated the four gendered acting awards and replaced them with just two prizes: lead and supporting performances (each has 10 nominees). It also added a new category, Best Breakthrough Performance, which has five contenders.
See the full list of 2024 Spirit Awards nominations for film and TV below.
Film
Best Picture
“All of Us Strangers”
“American Fiction”
“May December”
“Passages”
“Past Lives”
“We Grown Now”
Best Director
Andrew Haigh, “All of Us Strangers”
Todd Haynes, “May December”
William Oldroyd, “Eileen”
Ira Sachs, “Passages”
Celine Song, “Past Lives”
Best Lead Performance
Jessica Chastain, “Memory”
Greta Lee, “Past Lives”
Trace Lysette, “Monica”
Natalie Portman,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
The final month of the year has arrived, and with it an early Festivus bounty of news (very exciting!) about the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which are happening once again on February 25, back on the beach in Santa Monica. Last week brought tell of our incomparable new Spirit Awards host: SNL funnywoman and Emmy-nominated streaming series auteur Aidy Bryant. Now, the nondenominational secular-humanist Holiday Gnomes have brought us something potentially even more exciting… the nominees!
For the third consecutive year, the Spirit Awards will recognize outstanding achievement in uniqueness of vision, innovation and boldness in TV and streaming in addition to feature film. And for the second year, all acting categories are gender-neutral.
Noms were revealed in a livestream earlier today on Film Independent’s YouTube channel (like and subscribe!) by special guest presenters Joel Kim Booster and Natalie Morales:
Spirit Awards winners are voted on exclusively by Film Independent Members.
For the third consecutive year, the Spirit Awards will recognize outstanding achievement in uniqueness of vision, innovation and boldness in TV and streaming in addition to feature film. And for the second year, all acting categories are gender-neutral.
Noms were revealed in a livestream earlier today on Film Independent’s YouTube channel (like and subscribe!) by special guest presenters Joel Kim Booster and Natalie Morales:
Spirit Awards winners are voted on exclusively by Film Independent Members.
- 12/5/2023
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
“American Fiction,” “May December” and “Past Lives” dominated the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards nominations on Tuesday, picking up five nods apiece. The three movies are all up for best feature, where they will battle it out against “All of Us Strangers,” “Passages” and “We Grown Now.”
The annual honors recognize the best of television, as well as film. “The Last of Us,” a sci-fi epic that was a ratings hit for HBO, and “I’m a Virgo,” an absurdist miniseries from Boots Riley that was produced by Amazon, led the small screen crop, with four nominations each. Only new TV shows that have run for one season and were released between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of this year are eligible for awards. That’s why some big-budgeted fare was deemed eligible or, in the parlance of the show, independent.
That’s not the case on the feature front, where films have to be...
The annual honors recognize the best of television, as well as film. “The Last of Us,” a sci-fi epic that was a ratings hit for HBO, and “I’m a Virgo,” an absurdist miniseries from Boots Riley that was produced by Amazon, led the small screen crop, with four nominations each. Only new TV shows that have run for one season and were released between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of this year are eligible for awards. That’s why some big-budgeted fare was deemed eligible or, in the parlance of the show, independent.
That’s not the case on the feature front, where films have to be...
- 12/5/2023
- by Brent Lang and Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Rotting in the Sun is now showing exclusively on Mubi in the series Chaos Theory: A Sebastián Silva Retrospective.Chilean director Sebastián Silva and influencer-comedian Jordan Firstman joined us earlier this year to talk about their collaboration on Rotting in the Sun, now streaming exclusively on Mubi.In the film, Silva and Firstman play off-kilter versions of themselves. When Silva's character embarks on a solo trip to a gay nudist beach to cure his existential woes, he's saved from drowning by none other than Instagram celebrity Jordan Firstman—a peppy foil to the downtrodden, ketamine-fueled Sebastián. A huge fan of Sebastián's films, Jordan pitches his new project, an indulgent-sounding riff on Curb Your Enthusiasm called You Are Me. But when Sebastián suddenly goes missing, Jordan embarks on a wild, quasi-detective journey through Mexico City to uncover the truth.In this conversation, Silva and Firstman chat about the making of this "post-covid existential comedy,...
- 9/29/2023
- MUBI
Rotting in the Sun streams exclusively on Mubi (almost) globally starting September 15, 2023.This week's episode features:Sebastián Silva (Chile), a director, screenwriter, singer, and painter. Over the past fifteen years, he has established himself as one of the most singular and prolific voices in Latin American cinema. His filmography—consisting of eight feature films to date, and characterized by a bold, dark humor—talks about contemporary issues like the clash between social classes, racial struggle, and suicide.In 2009, his second feature film, The Maid, was the first Chilean film to be nominated for a Golden Globe for best international feature, and also won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Since then, many of Silva’s films have premiered at Sundance, including Crystal Fairy and the Magical Cactus, Tyrel, and Nasty Baby; the latter film won the Teddy Award at the Berlinale in 2015.Catalina Saavedra (Chile), a film, theater and television actress.
- 9/22/2023
- MUBI
Jordan Firstman is nothing short of a social media revelation – but there’s a lot more to him than that. A writer and actor, in Sebastian Silva’s latest film, Rotting in the Sun, he is tasked with playing a heightened version of himself, in a dark and dramatic production that has moments of light relief, of course, and lots of sex, too.
We had the pleasure of speaking to Firstman, where we discussed how it was playing himself on screen. He talks about performing the sex scenes, and if there’s anybody off-limits in regards to who he shares the film with. He also looks ahead, at what his ambitions for his career are, and why he hopes to move away from the skits that elevated his presence in the last few years. And also, just an apology for us for the hairy chest reveal. Consider this a trigger warning.
We had the pleasure of speaking to Firstman, where we discussed how it was playing himself on screen. He talks about performing the sex scenes, and if there’s anybody off-limits in regards to who he shares the film with. He also looks ahead, at what his ambitions for his career are, and why he hopes to move away from the skits that elevated his presence in the last few years. And also, just an apology for us for the hairy chest reveal. Consider this a trigger warning.
- 9/19/2023
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Whenever I watch a good film for work, I feel like I’m obligated to write a solid article. I’m not sure if that makes any sense or not, but it is like I owe something to the movie for the kind of memorable experience it has given me. Sebastian Silva’s meta-crime comedy Rotting in the Sun does fall under this category. Cut from the same cloth as Safdie brothers’ madcap caper comedy Uncut Gems (2017), Silva’s anxiety attack of a film is excellent from start to finish, in every possible way. It wouldn’t be wrong of me to say that it has been a while since I have seen a film as riveting as this one.
A lot happens in the opening five minutes of Rotting in the Sun. A man, played by director Sebastian Silva himself, reads a really morbid book while sitting by a fountain.
A lot happens in the opening five minutes of Rotting in the Sun. A man, played by director Sebastian Silva himself, reads a really morbid book while sitting by a fountain.
- 9/18/2023
- by Rohitavra Majumdar
- Film Fugitives
Calling the plot of Sebastian Silva’s Rotting in the Sun engaging would be a huge understatement. The ingenious crime mystery film puts you in a pressure cooker and makes you hold your heart while you wait for it to explode any minute. That is how I would describe the experience, and I am not even exaggerating a bit. Rotting in the Sun‘s ending is heartbreaking and fascinating at the same time, but most importantly, it leaves a lot hanging in the balance. I thought it was a genius move by Silva, as an ending like that is bound to make the audience talk about the film for ages. Quite naturally, an explanation becomes mandatory, and I am going to try my hand at that in this article. However, there’s going to be a lot more speculation than explanation, if I have to be completely honest.
Spoilers Ahead...
Spoilers Ahead...
- 9/17/2023
- by Rohitavra Majumdar
- Film Fugitives
Rotting in the Sun is showing in select US theaters now and releases exclusively on Mubi (almost) globally starting September 15th.Sundance favorite Sebastián Silva tells host Rico Gagliano about his self-described "misanthropic comedy" Rotting in the Sun—the satirical story of a happy hedonist and a not-so-happy filmmaker who end up in the middle of a Hitchcockian mystery.Silva dishes on how he teamed up with superstar Instagrammer Jordan Firstman, the importance of self-mockery, and the film's already-infamous sex sequences featuring "all the dicks."Listen to the episode below or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow on your preferred podcast app to stay tuned for more episodes: Apple PodcastsStitcherSpotifyGoogle PodcastsMore...
- 9/13/2023
- MUBI
The solipsism of artists and influencers offers infinite variations on self-lacerating lampoon, and Sebastian Silva’s new film Rotting in the Sun comes up with a dandy. Here Silva, the Chilean filmmaker best known in the States for the Michael Cera psychedelic quest movie Crystal Fairy & the Magic Cactus, creates a suicidal, ketamine-crazed Mexico City filmmaker, named for and played by Silva, and a comically, brutally self-absorbed internet personality, named for and played by the comedian (and internet personality) Jordan Firstman. Jordan wants Sebastian to collaborate on a happier variation on Curb Your Enthusiasm,...
- 9/9/2023
- by Chris Vognar
- Rollingstone.com
Malia Obama, Oscar-winning directors The Daniels and “The Mandalorian” star Pedro Pascal were just a few of the notables who turned up in force for the first Los Angeles screening of A24’s holocaust drama “The Zone of Interest” on Tuesday night.
The intimate gathering at West Hollywood’s London Hotel was something akin to a bucket of ice water in a social Mojave, as the ongoing Hollywood strikes have shuttered red carpets and made party RSVPs into war room fodder for talent publicists and studio communications executives.
But “Zone of Interest,” from indie darling Jonathan Glazer, would not be ignored. Jamie Bell and Kate Mara, Simon Rex (“Red Rocket”) and DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter were all spotted mingling with the director and the film’s male lead Christian Friedel. Filmmakers David Lowery (“The Green Knight”), Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight”), Hiro Murai (“Atlanta”), Raven Jackson (“All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt...
The intimate gathering at West Hollywood’s London Hotel was something akin to a bucket of ice water in a social Mojave, as the ongoing Hollywood strikes have shuttered red carpets and made party RSVPs into war room fodder for talent publicists and studio communications executives.
But “Zone of Interest,” from indie darling Jonathan Glazer, would not be ignored. Jamie Bell and Kate Mara, Simon Rex (“Red Rocket”) and DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter were all spotted mingling with the director and the film’s male lead Christian Friedel. Filmmakers David Lowery (“The Green Knight”), Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight”), Hiro Murai (“Atlanta”), Raven Jackson (“All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt...
- 9/6/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
John Waters muse Jean Hill once said that she was well-known for “shaking hands with the dick,” and in Sebastián Silva’s Rotting in the Sun, influencer Jordan Firstman certainly takes the baton. At once an excoriating satire of the performativity of homosexuality within a social media-addled community as well as a seemingly earnest lament for the total loss of collectivity, the film minces neither words nor bodily appendages.
Silva plants tongue deep in cheek as a hopelessly depressed caricature of himself, dodging promotional commitments, slapping his shit-eating dog across the face in full view of horrified passersby, watching people watch him page through E.M. Cioran’s The Trouble with Being Born, and getting lost in a K-hole as often as he can manage. It’s not that Silva’s on-screen alter ego is out of ideas—in fact, he spends much of his time slashing away at his...
Silva plants tongue deep in cheek as a hopelessly depressed caricature of himself, dodging promotional commitments, slapping his shit-eating dog across the face in full view of horrified passersby, watching people watch him page through E.M. Cioran’s The Trouble with Being Born, and getting lost in a K-hole as often as he can manage. It’s not that Silva’s on-screen alter ego is out of ideas—in fact, he spends much of his time slashing away at his...
- 9/6/2023
- by Eric Henderson
- Slant Magazine
Mubi has announced its lineup of streaming offerings for September, including the exclusive streaming premieres for Rebecca Zlotowski’s Other People’s Children; and Lola Quivoron’s Rodeo; and Rotting in the Sun by Sebastián Silva, whose work is highlighted in a series that also includes The Maid, Life Kills Me, and Nasty Baby.
Additional selections include a mini-retro of last year’s TIFF (Pacifiction and the newest film by Sophy Romvari among them), 10 by Pedro Almodóvar, and David Lynch’s rare 1988 short The Cowboy and the Frenchman, starring Harry Dean Stanton and Jack Nance.
Check out the lineup below and get 30 days free here.
September 1
Volver, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Matador, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Dark Habits, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Law of Desire, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
High Heels, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Kika, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Live Flesh,...
Additional selections include a mini-retro of last year’s TIFF (Pacifiction and the newest film by Sophy Romvari among them), 10 by Pedro Almodóvar, and David Lynch’s rare 1988 short The Cowboy and the Frenchman, starring Harry Dean Stanton and Jack Nance.
Check out the lineup below and get 30 days free here.
September 1
Volver, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Matador, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Dark Habits, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Law of Desire, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
High Heels, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Kika, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Live Flesh,...
- 8/31/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for One Piece, Stand Up to Cancer and Rotting in the Sun.
Feeding America event
Julie Bowen teamed up with Feeding America and North Valley Caring Services on Aug. 18 to distribute food and products from her teen skincare line, Jb Skrub, to families in need.
Julie Bowen
Stand Up to Cancer
Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Biel, Don Cheadle, Katie Couric, Danai Gurira, Tony Hale, Ken Jeong, Queen Latifah, Maria Menounos, Julianne Moore, Tig Notaro, Jimmy Smits, Eric Stonestreet and Justin Timberlake were among the stars who took part in this year’s Stand Up to Cancer fundraising special, which aired on Saturday.
Tig Notaro, Elizabeth Banks, Katie Couric and Don Cheadle Maria Menounos, Eric Stonestreet and Tony Hale
Unleashed launch event
Allison Janney, Gabriel Luna and Rachael Harris supported actress...
Feeding America event
Julie Bowen teamed up with Feeding America and North Valley Caring Services on Aug. 18 to distribute food and products from her teen skincare line, Jb Skrub, to families in need.
Julie Bowen
Stand Up to Cancer
Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Biel, Don Cheadle, Katie Couric, Danai Gurira, Tony Hale, Ken Jeong, Queen Latifah, Maria Menounos, Julianne Moore, Tig Notaro, Jimmy Smits, Eric Stonestreet and Justin Timberlake were among the stars who took part in this year’s Stand Up to Cancer fundraising special, which aired on Saturday.
Tig Notaro, Elizabeth Banks, Katie Couric and Don Cheadle Maria Menounos, Eric Stonestreet and Tony Hale
Unleashed launch event
Allison Janney, Gabriel Luna and Rachael Harris supported actress...
- 8/25/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With the summer movie season now quietly winding down, the fall movie season is upon us and while we expect a handful of release dates to change as writers and actors fight for what they deserve, it’s time to look at what’s on the horizon. As we do each year, after highlighting the best films offered thus far, we’ve set out to provide an overview of the titles that should be on your radar.
Featuring 40 films, the below preview includes both the best we’ve already seen (with full reviews where available) and the anticipated with (mostly) confirmed release dates over the next four months. A good amount will premiere over the next few weeks at Telluride, Venice, TIFF, and NYFF, so check back for our reviews. Dates below are theatrical releases unless otherwise noted.
Astrakan (David Depesseville; Sept. 1)
Astrakhan fur is unique: dark, beautiful, and stripped exclusively from newborn lambs,...
Featuring 40 films, the below preview includes both the best we’ve already seen (with full reviews where available) and the anticipated with (mostly) confirmed release dates over the next four months. A good amount will premiere over the next few weeks at Telluride, Venice, TIFF, and NYFF, so check back for our reviews. Dates below are theatrical releases unless otherwise noted.
Astrakan (David Depesseville; Sept. 1)
Astrakhan fur is unique: dark, beautiful, and stripped exclusively from newborn lambs,...
- 8/25/2023
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
On the website for Mubi, the international cinema platform describes itself in several ways: “A streaming service? A curator? A publisher? A distributor? A cinema lover? Yes.”
Yet in a recent online conversation hosted by Sundance Collab, the Sundance Institute’s educational service, Mubi Chief Content Officer Jason Ropell added another facet to Mubi’s motives: Netflix alternative.
Ropell, the former head of Amazon Studio’s film division, said in a revealing conversation with Sundance programmer John Nein that, while Mubi takes SVOD rights for both films it buys and produces in-house, it takes a more expansive approach to other revenue streams, from theatrical to PVOD.
“In contrast, Netflix will create or buy a film and it will only be on Netflix,” Ropell said. “It’s the exclusive access to the platform that’s their value proposition. Our job is to support films through every facet of the distribution chain.
Yet in a recent online conversation hosted by Sundance Collab, the Sundance Institute’s educational service, Mubi Chief Content Officer Jason Ropell added another facet to Mubi’s motives: Netflix alternative.
Ropell, the former head of Amazon Studio’s film division, said in a revealing conversation with Sundance programmer John Nein that, while Mubi takes SVOD rights for both films it buys and produces in-house, it takes a more expansive approach to other revenue streams, from theatrical to PVOD.
“In contrast, Netflix will create or buy a film and it will only be on Netflix,” Ropell said. “It’s the exclusive access to the platform that’s their value proposition. Our job is to support films through every facet of the distribution chain.
- 8/17/2023
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
While A24 will release Dicks: The Musical this fall, an alternate title for Sebastián Silva’s Rotting in the Sun could certainly be Dicks: The Meta Comedy Detective Journey. The gleefully nude-positive film follows a director (Silva) and an influencer (Jordan Firstman), both playing versions of themselves who meet at a Mexican gay beach town and decide to collaborate on a new project––and things get wilder from there. Ahead of a September 8 release from Mubi, the first trailer and poster have now arrrived.
Jose Solís said in his review, “From its hilarious use of social media montages to the oversized white Telfar bag that seems to almost swallow one of its characters whole, Sebastián Silva’s Rotting in the Sun is the kind of film that would be best served by a review comprised entirely of emojis. And I mean that as the highest of compliments. There isn’t...
Jose Solís said in his review, “From its hilarious use of social media montages to the oversized white Telfar bag that seems to almost swallow one of its characters whole, Sebastián Silva’s Rotting in the Sun is the kind of film that would be best served by a review comprised entirely of emojis. And I mean that as the highest of compliments. There isn’t...
- 8/9/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Just watching the trailer for Sebastián Silva’s “Rotting in the Sun” makes one thing abundantly clear—if you watch this film, you better be comfortable with male nudity. And if the sheer number of penises doesn’t scare you off, then you’re going to be delighted to find a really ridiculous and hilarious meta-comedy.
Read More: ‘Rotting In The Sun’ Review: Jordan Firstman Is Daringly Annoying In Sebastián Silva’s Sly Meta-Comedy [Sundance]
“Rotting in the Sun” tells the story of Sebastián Silva, a filmmaker who is in need of a vacation to recharge.
Continue reading ‘Rotting In The Sun’ Trailer: Sebastián Silva’s Gay, Darkly Funny Meta Comedy Hits In September at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘Rotting In The Sun’ Review: Jordan Firstman Is Daringly Annoying In Sebastián Silva’s Sly Meta-Comedy [Sundance]
“Rotting in the Sun” tells the story of Sebastián Silva, a filmmaker who is in need of a vacation to recharge.
Continue reading ‘Rotting In The Sun’ Trailer: Sebastián Silva’s Gay, Darkly Funny Meta Comedy Hits In September at The Playlist.
- 8/9/2023
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
"Why don't you stay your lane?" Mubi has revealed the first official trailer for the indie comedy Rotting in the Sun, the latest film from Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Silva. This premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where Silva has been a regular in the past - in 2013 he premiered two new films at the festival: Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus and Magic Magic. The very meta film follows social media celebrity Jordan Firstman as he starts a search for the filmmaker Sebastian Silva who has gone missing in Mexico City. He strangely suspects that the cleaning lady in Sebastian's building may be involved in his disappearance. The festival adds: "Silva returns to Sundance playing a derisive version of himself in his latest black comedy, skewering not only the business of filmmaking, but also our modern solipsistic culture. Darkly funny, refreshingly audacious in its depiction of sex,...
- 8/9/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Sebastián Silva’s “Rotting in the Sun” poked and prodded the 2023 Sundance Film Festival with its graphic, unsimulated gay sex scenes and full-frontal male nudity. But this dark existential meta-comedy about a filmmaker in freefall (also played by Silva) is deeper than all that chatter — as riotously funny and enjoyable as it may also be for those very same reasons. This sharp, self-flagellating satire of gay millennial life, co-starring social media star Jordan Firstman, finally opens from Mubi in theaters on September 8 before streaming on the platform September 15. Watch the trailer, an IndieWire exclusive, below.
“Rotting in the Sun” combines a timely skewering of gay narcissism with the filthy filmmaking spirit of John Waters and even a quasi-detective story. While dooming and glooming at a Mexican gay beach town that sure looks like Oaxaca’s nude vacation mecca Zipolite, depressed director Sebastián Silva (the filmmaker plays himself) is rescued from...
“Rotting in the Sun” combines a timely skewering of gay narcissism with the filthy filmmaking spirit of John Waters and even a quasi-detective story. While dooming and glooming at a Mexican gay beach town that sure looks like Oaxaca’s nude vacation mecca Zipolite, depressed director Sebastián Silva (the filmmaker plays himself) is rescued from...
- 8/9/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
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