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Independent films catching mainstream Hollywood's eye
January 11, 1997
Web posted at: 3:30 p.m. ESTFrom Correspondent Paul Vercammen
LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- The Independent Spirit Award nominations have taken on a rather golden hue this year.
That gold is the possibility of the independent film honors translating later into Oscar recognition and the acceptance of those coveted gold statuettes.
A tale from the upper Midwest is spearheading the charge of independent nominations recently. Although a dark comedy, "Fargo" found the light at the Independent Spirit Awards; it won six nominations, including best picture.
Also up for best picture: "The Funeral," "Welcome to the Dollhouse," "Dead Man" and "Lone Star."
The buzz in Hollywood is that some of those films are contenders for Academy Award nominations, since the academy is leaning farther toward accepting the small studio/small budget independent community.
"The best movies. The best directors. The best screenwriters and best actors are here," says awards presenter Kelly Lynch. "And it was a matter of time, as far as I was concerned, that this crossover would happen."
Actor Bernicio Del Toro, who received a best supporting actor nod for "Basquiat," agrees. "I think it's great that the little guys are getting a chance, ... like 'Sling Blade,' 'The Funeral,' 'Basquiat,' and 'Lone Star.'"
Even the biggest mainstream stars are praising 1996's independent films.
"Well, 'Lone Star' I really liked," said Academy Award- winning actress Meryl Streep.
Actress Julia Roberts is also a big indie fan. "'Sling Blade' -- really excellent. So superb," she said.
"Lone Star," a murder mystery set on the Texas-Mexico border, received four nominations. "Sling Blade" is the tale of a retarded, unlikely hero set in a small Arkansas town, directed, written and starring Billy Bob Thornton.
When Thornton was nominated for best first feature as director, he could hardly believe his ears.
"I thought maybe I was in trouble or my car was parked in the wrong spot out here" he said. "I'm not real used to getting any kind of award, so it's really great."
The awards will be presented March 22.
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