..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

March 21, 2003

The Independent Spirit
by David Poland

___________________________________

On Saturday afternoon in New York, over 100,000 Americans were protesting on the streets of New York. Some got into heavy duty conflicts with police.

One Saturday afternoon in Santa Monica, 1000 or so "independent spirited" Americans were celebrating themselves in a tent by the beach. But don't worry... they made peace signs a lot, said "peace" at the end of their speeches after thanking their financiers and distributors, and made it all okay by getting Elvis Costello, who remains my favorite musical artist in spite of being so used, to play a lovely somber, version of (What's So Funny `Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding.

I'm pretty sure that it was my fault for switcing channels occasionally. It would probably have been better to have avoided the CNN interviews with the 75-year-old woman who faced off with the riot squad and the 20-something who was sprayed with pepper spray while dancing and singing. But I didn't...

John Waters actually said more than most by proclaiming up front that he is not know as an expert on politics, so he was just going to stick to movies. And he did. And he was, as ever, undeniable.

"Technique is nothing more than failed style."
- John Waters

Others were not so clever...

"Let's use a little of our spirit this year to get Bush out of office."
- Mike White

Just after I saw some of the goings on on the streets of New York, I caught Brittany Murphy doing her usual I-could-be-on-drugs-or-maybe-I'm-really-this-stupid routine that Jennifer Tilly gave up on a few year's back. She (or IFP) was having some prompter troubles, to which Murphy responded with dumb jokes...

Two peanuts walking down the street in Manhattan. One was assaulted.
- Brittany Murphy

Oy.

The winner of the Debut Performance award was Nia Vardalos, who was not in attendance. Why? I'm sure we'll find out eventually. (My guess? My Big Fat Greek Wedding godfather Tom Hanks just said "no.") But the potential for a moment of insightful protest was sloshed when Louis Mandylor did a lame version of the exact gag that Meryl Streep and Charlie Kaufman did at the BAFTA awards... maybe they figured that no one was watching the BAFTAs. In any case, no poltiical insight was forthcoming.

Next, IFP/LA Director Dawn Hudson gave a pretentious, overwrought speech about artists speaking out. It was somewhat inane, given that she made the call to procede with the glitzy, same-as-always awards themselves. She spoke about the need for artists to speak out and then failed to speak out herself!!! What was that all about?!?!?!

But insult was added to injury as Ms. Hudson walked off the stage only to have the anouncer intone in his best announcer voice, "And now, a pair of action heroes, from The Matrix Reloaded, Carrie Anne Moss and the Oscar nominated star of The Pianist, Adrien Brody!"

Needless to say, neither Moss nor Brody said a word about the war. Not even a peace sign.

Emily Mortimer won Best Supporting Actress, deservedly, for Lovely & Amazing and her husband, Alessandro Nivola, read a faxed speech from her. (She's stuck in Scotland on a set... really stuck.) But I kind of expected something tougher. Then again, if Ms. Mortimer was there, herself known as a writer of some skill and notoriety herself in England, she probably would have come up with something smart, elegant and a bit more cutting to say in the moment. (Her father, John Mortimer, made some pertanant comments over a year ago that are still appropriate... especially in these days. Read them here.)

Michael Moore won for Bowling for Columbine and after he did his thank yous, he gave a little speech about the ficticious war and the ficticious president and how "The lesson for the children of Columbine is that violence is an accepted means by which to resolve a conflict." The applause when his win was announced was strong. The applause during his speech was shockingly sparse.

Was it a coincidence that John Waters did a hunk right after Moore's category was announced? I doubt it.

Some young presenters did offer opinions as things went along.

"I just want to say... Peace to all people. And keep the peace."
- Thora Birch

"We're in the middle of a war right now about oil and imperialism and it's a shame and I just really hope for peace as soon as we can possible find it"
- Maggie Gyllenhaal

"I'd like to dedicate the awards to everyone who is trying to find peace in this world and stop this stupid war."
- Diego Luna

"Coming from a country and representing many people who come from countries where many times in our lives, different governments, different institutions like the International Monetary Fund, has told us what to do... this time I get this opportunity to tell something to you, the people from the U.S. to do, which is... The only way to stop this war is you, the people from the United States."
- Gael Garcia Bernal

And one comment from a winning guy who wasn't so young -

"I'd like to send out a prayer of peace in the world for the Iraqi people and safe keeping for our troops overseas."
- Dennis Quaid

Don Cheadle did a nice job reading a statement from the IFP/Los AngelesBoard of Directors:

"There's always a lot of talk about the meaning of the word, "Independent." In this country, independent means we have the right to voice our opinions and that right is protected in our constitution. We have a right to question our elected officials when the drums of war have drowned out the world's cries for peace. We have a right to question whether the motives of our leaders are just and humanitarian. We have a right to voice our concerns without being called anti-American. (applause break) And if we feel we are not being heard, we have a right to raise our voices louder. We have a right to demand peace. Independent means being brave enough to stand alone while knowing we are all interconnected and part of a greater whole. We should strive to be independent but not arrogant, brave but not reckless, self-assured by not dogmatic, proud by not disrespectful. We have many voices, independent and spirited, and we should raise them until we are heard."

You've been heard. The speech was beautifully crafted. It turned "independent" into... "independent." And with due respect, it said nothing of note to anyone other than the choir and the Fox News schmucks. No one watching the ISAs thinks that people don't have a right to speak or that anyone should be called "anti-American" for speaking out. It is, however, remarkably arrogant to make this war into a referendum about whether actors should speak out. Get over yourselves!

Todd Haynes won for Best Director directly after this. He said:

"There is such a unilateral drive by this administration that doesn't seem to take into account dissent, both domestically, globally and that our little counter-narratives to the dominant history are really important. And all the more at stake today."
- Todd Haynes

See how Haynes actually said something? Notice how he didn't just complain that someone might talk about silencing him? He actually said it.

Derek Luke gave a beautifully loving speech after winning Best Actor against some major competition. He literally gave his award to his wife, whom he had brought on stage. He closed by telling the audience that he had been waiting tables, just four years ago, at the Independent Spirit Awards themselves. A wonderful moment.

Then, the actual Jennifer Tilly appeared and kept the fun going with a song and just the right portion of Jennifer Tilly.

The closest anyone came to a political statement after that was Best Actress winner Julianne Moore.

"We're parents. We teach our children not to fight. Fighting is not the answer."
- Julianne Moore

It came after a long list of charming movie thank yous. It was said sotto voce. And off she went.

For a moment, it looked like Christine Vachon, who pulled out a note after a few words, might say something. But instead more celebration of the film, which won four of the Top Six awards and cinematography to boot.

I'm not going to get rolling about the now traditional situation of the ISAs being a place to award films that are also Oscar nominated, but which are likely to be beaten out by studio product. Why IFP nominations have to be announced a full two months before the Oscar noinations is a mystery... well, not really. But for the sake of indie film, I truly believe that they should elminate all nominations that are duplicated by Oscar, have those eliminated present at the ISAs, and give a chance to the #6 or #7 nominee. But like I said... not going down that road today...

The second most embarrassing thing at the event was how many titles were mispronounced by presenters. I can understand that some people can't see all of these films. But not knowing how to pronounce the nominees is just horrible. It suggests that even indie people don't care about indie films, even if it is untrue.

In closing... nothing terrible happened. Actors were charming. Jokes were told. Songs were sung. Far From Heaven was celebrated.

And the kids were the only ones who really spoke out.

I have not detailed every moment of this show in this piece. But I have detailed every single political comment. Every one. I count 12. Carlos Cuaron referenced Costello's performance. Does that make 13? In over two commercial-free hours?

Independence ain't what it used to be...