USA: Divorce drama "The Squid and the Whale" takes pole position among art-house favourites at the Independent Spirit nominations in Los Angeles.
Record ID:
1531344
USA: Divorce drama "The Squid and the Whale" takes pole position among art-house favourites at the Independent Spirit nominations in Los Angeles.
- Title: USA: Divorce drama "The Squid and the Whale" takes pole position among art-house favourites at the Independent Spirit nominations in Los Angeles.
- Date: 1st December 2005
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 29, 2005) (REUTERS) NOMINEES FOR BEST DIRECTOR BEING ANNOUNCED
- Embargoed: 18th December 2005 12:29
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA9YOOT68MBK89NO5OPO610FQTS
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: "The Squid and the Whale," a low-budget drama about a family torn apart by divorce, led the list of contenders on Tuesday (November 29) for the Independent Spirit Awards, the American art-house world's version of the Oscars. The film scored six nominations, ahead of higher-profile entries based on true stories such as the Truman Capote biopic "Capote" and director George Clooney's Red-scare witch-hunt saga "Good Night, and Good Luck," with four each. Also landing four nods each were Taiwanese director Ang Lee's upcoming drama "Brokeback Mountain," about forbidden love between two cowboys, and actor Tommy Lee Jones' feature directing debut "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada," about friendship and justice amid tensions on the Mexico-Texas border. The Spirit Awards, in their 21st year, honour low-budget films based on such criteria as original, provocative subject matter and degree of independent financing. Winners will be unveiled on March 4, the day before the Academy Awards. "The Squid and the Whale," which has earned about $3.3 million since in two months, stars Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney as a couple whose marriage is on the rocks. Both received Spirit Award nominations for their lead roles, while Noah Baumbach was cited for script and direction, and youngster Jesse Eisenberg for his supporting role. Departing from tradition, many contenders revolve around political, racial and social issues rather than personal, coming-of-age stories. "Capote," for example, stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as famed author Truman Capote, and centres on his coverage of the murder that yielded his book "In Cold Blood." Cold War paranoia and journalistic integrity are the basis for "Good Night, and Good Luck," a black-and-white drama starring David Strathairn as newsman Edward R. Murrow fighting Sen. Joseph McCarthy. The films are among the best reviewed of the year, and are expected to figure highly as other groups announce their top films. Daniels, Hoffman and Strathairn are competing for best male lead, along with Heath Ledger who plays a gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain," and Terrence Howard who plays a pimp in the hip-hop drama "Hustle & Flow." Baumbach, Clooney and Lee will vie for the directing prize, along with Gregg Araki for the paedophilia-themed drama "Mysterious Skin" and Rodrigo Garcia for the womens' ensemble piece "Nine Lives."
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