The show isn’t watched by many, but the winners do contribute momentum that steers various voting groups toward which movies matter most. This year, voters need all the help they can get. A new arrival on the awards radar is Gotham Best Actress winner Nicole Beharie, star of Sundance 2020 debut “Miss Juneteenth” (Vertical Entertainment). More may want to check it out. Anne Thompson
Already racking up wins is Searchlight Oscar frontrunner “Nomadland.” In addition to Gotham jury prizes for Best Feature and Best Director for Chloé Zhao, the film received four awards from the National Society of Film Critics (best picture, cinematography, director and actress Frances McDormand) and directing prizes from the New York and Los Angeles film critics. “Nomadland” also took home the Golden Lion in Venice as well as the TIFF People’s Choice award, which is considered a bellwether for the Oscars.
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He went on to quote the late, great Irrfan Khan: “‘Surrender to the dance of uncertainty,’” he said. “It feels like a wobbly time. If we can wobble together, we may find each other dancing.”
Anne Thompson
The Gothams identify as indie, which made this year’s tributes to the late director Joel Schumacher (“Batman and Robin,” “8MM”), and to Netflix showrunner Ryan Murphy (who was introduced by “The Prom” star Nicole Kidman) feel off-brand.
Honoring “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” stars Chadwick Boseman (his widow gave him a moving tribute) and Viola Davis made more sense. Both are in strong positions to win Best Actor (posthumously) and Actress, respectively. Director George C. Wolfe “had a glorious experience watching Viola Davis and Ma Rainey dance together,” he said. “Both women are full of fire and intensity. Viola has a purity of heart and passion and fire and rage and verbosity. Because of those qualities, all of her characters transcend. She has the ability to heal and the power to connect.” “I am honored to be part of a legacy of autonomy and agency,” said Davis, citing August Wilson’s Century Cycle of plays. “Wilson shows you our humanity, how we loved, and dreamed, and how we get mad, our humor. It has been the joy of my life.” Another Gothams tribute went to the cast of Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” which is vying for a SAG Ensemble nod en route to the Oscars. It contributes to the awards agenda of Gothams sponsor Netflix, and the Gothams aren’t going to turn away its support. Anne Thompson Also sharing were Best Screenplay winners, breakout writer-director-actress Radha Blank (Netflix’s “The 40-Year-Old Version”) and Dan Sallitt (“Fourteen”). “Holy shit,” said Blank, who thanked her producers “for getting me the money and getting out of my way.” The Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director award went to a no-show, Andrew Patterson, for his impressive DIY debut “The Vast of Night.” Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
