Slumdog Millionaire wins the Producers Guild Award!
Other winners:
Wall-E, animated
Man on Wire – doc
John Adams – miniseries
30 Rock – comedy
Mad Men – drama, TV
Confirmed by David Carr, Carpetbagger, who is attending. Thanks to Waltizzle for the tip off.
109 Responses for "SLUMDOG Takes PGA"
OMG I’m famous!!!
Which site is Oscar Buzz? I can’t find it, except for a Portuguese-language blog that is still discussing Little Miss Sunshine…
I think this references the Oscar Buzz board on IMDb. The thread link if you’re an IMDb user: http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000005/flat/128644077
Go Slumdog go! Awww yeah.
no surprise
Why can’t we have one unpredictable year? Sweeps only work when they’re honoring good films.
Go Slumdog!!! Was really worried that Button might crash the party…
Woo-hoo! GO SLUMDOG!
Ah, thanks, Joy! Didn’t even know that existed.
Shows how provincial I’ve become over the past few years — now the only Oscar sites I follow regularly are AD, GoldDerby and David Poland’s Oscar Charts at MCN.
Several years ago I remember jumping back and forth between OscarWatch, InContention, FilmExperience, GoldDerby and MCN. But nowadays this site has most everything I need — who has time to keep up with the dozens of sites out there???
Poor Harvey — he loses on Prop 8 and now he loses the PGA….
It hasn’t really been that long since we had an unpredictable year, James. Two years ago, at this stage, The Departed had won the BFCA, Babel had taken the Globe, Dreamgirls won the other Globe but wasn’t nominated at the Oscars, and Little Miss Sunshine took the PGA.
This was the only place for Button to gain some traction, as Boyle is a shoe in for DGA and Milk looks like a lock for SAG ensemble.
Woo! I’m so happy for Slumdog Millionaire!
Distressing win on several levels.
Why is John Adams so great? Why?!?!
Slumdog cannot be stopped.
Can someone tell me what is the draw to this movie? Really! I want to know. I saw it and it was OK. I don’t see it as the film that is running away with all the awards?
I hope SM gets stopped tomorrow at the SAG and at the DGA!!!!!!!!
This awards season is sooooo interesting.
SOOOOO undeserving and SOOOOOO boring.
I hope SM gets stopped tomorrow at the SAG and at the DGA!!!!!!!!
It will win the DGA. I don’t know about the SAG…
If Slumdog wins tomorrow for best Ensemble I will be pissed. Any other movie but Slumdog. It would be a joke.
I know it’ll win DGA!!! I just don’t want it to!!!
It’s not that I felt S M was poorly crafted overall. My objections to it may be in the minority , but there is something unsavory to me about a film cast in the backdrop of Mumbai, directed by a Brit , which in my view trivialized poverty and used a ‘game show’ like Who Wants to be A Millionaire” as a means to escaping this Happy-G0-Lucky trap of poverty with no social safety nets…oh, and get the girl as well.
Dev and Freida had no chemistry that I could see.
It also strikes me that India is on the verge of becoming the next China economically.
It all combines into a film which leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Dont worry Waltizzle, it wont win the SAG as this is an acting ensemble award and they wont give it to a bunch of kids and unknown actors (as much as I would like them to!!)
As someone who has seen my fave movies like Magnolia, Babel, 21 Grams, The Hours, Atonement etc get consistently beaten at the major award shows (OK except the Globes for some of them), Im happy that for once my fave is on a roll. Go Slumdog!!!
pook that’s EXACTLY the point of the movie, it’s a reprieve from all the crap in the world. this is the essence of bollywood and why people go to see films in india in the first place–as a fantastical escape. the poverty is put in the backdrop because if you can find happiness elsewhere money won’t matter.
I really don’t know why people are bagging on Slumdog for doing so well, it’s a really great film and it deserves everything it gets!
Spoiler Alert: Did the blinded kids find happiness too?
For me, Benjamin Button was a far superior ‘fantastical escape’.
But, I am happy for the child-actors in SM. They were the best aspects of it, for me.
I just hope they dont have this, subliminal message that a foreign director did all of this for them.
IT WAS WRITTEN.
I finally saw Slumdog today and I thought it was just okay. I guess it’s going to win everything. But I don’t know if people actually like it, or if it’s just got the momentum at the right time.
yawn
I am an Indian , and this is the best movie i have seen in my life.
People all over INdia are starting to wake up to the reality that India has a lot of slums , and rich people are coming forward to help.
Danny Boyle Said in bombay that a part of the BOX OFFICE Collections will be donated to develop the slum areas . Bombay had a bad year , and this is the only good news we have had. Please do NOT bash this movie just because it is the front runner . The team of this film never lobbied Like HARVEY WEINSTEIN , they just made a film they believed in. Milk , and Button = the only reason these films were made Was to win awards.NOTHING ELSE. Slumdog is a victory for creativity.
1 Billion Indians are praying for it , Please let it win. It is the best film of the year by far , and i hope there is no senseless backlash for it. If we lose this Oscar race , TRUST ME , All OF INDIA will be very sad. India needs something to celebrate right now after a bad 2008. And i hope the Academy chooses hope over fear , I Do not know whether this film will win or not , but i was very happy to see it . Those were 2 of the best hours of my life.
Why is SLUMDOG the best film of 2008? A) It’s something we haven’t seen a million times before B) The acting is incredible C) It tells a compelling, alternately heart-wrenching and heartwarming story D) Director Danny Boyle captures Mumbai in all its complexities, but never loses sight of each individual character
I am an Indian , and this is the best movie i have seen in my life.
People all over INdia are starting to wake up to the reality that India has a lot of slums , and rich people are coming forward to help.
Danny Boyle Said in bombay that a part of the BOX OFFICE
Collections will be donated to develop the slum areas . Bombay had a bad year , and this is the only good news we have had.
Please do NOT bash this movie just because it is the front runner .
The team of this film never lobbied Like HARVEY WEINSTEIN , they just made a film they believed in. Milk , and Button = the only reason these films were made Was to win awards.NOTHING ELSE.
Slumdog is a victory for creativity. 1 Billion Indians are praying for it , Please let it win.
It is the best film of the year by far , and i hope there is no senseless backlash for it. If we lose this Oscar race , TRUST ME , All OF INDIA will be very sad.
India needs something to celebrate right now after a bad 2008.
And i hope the Academy chooses hope over fear , optimism over cynicism .
I Do not know whether this film will win or not , but i was very happy to see it . Those were 2 of the best hours of my life.
Why is SLUMDOG the best film of 2008?
A) It’s something we haven’t seen a million times before
B) The acting is incredible
C) It tells a compelling, alternately heart-wrenching and heartwarming story
D) Director Danny Boyle captures Mumbai in all its complexities, but never loses sight of each individual character
I’m starting to think that It is written
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All that remains is for HBK to win the rumble and i will have a great day.
SLUMDOG Is an awesome film.
I did not see button , because i’ve already seen Forrest Gump.
I Hope it wins 9 oscars , or at least 7.
It is the only film i absolutely loved , apart from the dark knight .
The other films are not made for the fans , but for personal glory.
I Hate idiots who hate blindly on movies.
Say something constructive or keep your mouth shut .
Congrats to Slumdog Millionaire!
“Milk , and Button = the only reason these films were made Was to win awards.NOTHING ELSE. Slumdog is a victory for creativity.”
I beg to differ here. Milk is not about awards. It is about the life and death of a courageous man who doesn’t blend in to the mainstream yet fights for rights of the oppressed. Penn would not have been involved if it had been about awards.
Benjamin Button is as much a romance as Slumdog. The story is complex and yet accessible, just like the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Slumdog is hardly creative. OK, it is the first movie to use a TV Game Show so effectively, but I have seen the structure MANY times. The story is a boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back film. Cloverfield for example. (Sorry, I know that is a stretch there.)
And what is it with Danny Boyle’s love affair with shit? He had the young boy dive into the pile of it and had Ewan McGregor climbing into a toilet.
JAI HO .
Comment 33 is ridiculously ignorant. The fact you haven’t even seen it yet gives you even LESS right to talk.
Really embarrassing.
Very nice news .
I’m happy that that piece of crap called benjamin’s bottom did not win.
The dark knight was the best though.
But i’ll take this happily .
Yay for Slumdog! It deserves it!
“And what is it with Danny Boyle’s love affair with shit? He had the young boy dive into the pile of it and had Ewan McGregor climbing into a toilet.”
I forgot to add that the toilet diving scene was from “Trainspotting”.
@ The natural :
You are the ignorant prick .
Did i say Button was terrible ?
No.
Learn how to read.
HBK Fan,
Learn how to communicate first. Your implications speak volumes.
Then learn how to read. The Natural did not say that you claimed that Button was terrible.
Finally got a chance to see “Slumdog Millionaire” and all I can say is WOW. An amazing film. No one will get a quarrel from me if it wins all the awards come OSCAR night. That would be 9 since it can only win one in the best song category.
Milk was not a good film at all.
And my best friend is gay , and she hated it too .
It is not in the same league as Brokeback Mountain.
The Reader is better , i think , than Milk.
I hoped that TDK would win the Oscar , but i’m OK with slumdog too.
Anything but MILK.
@ Rob : WHY SO SERIOUS ????
Benjamin button , from what i have read from Roger Ebert’s review , is not a good movie at all.
And my friends say it is similar to Forrest Gump. So do several critics.
I Have not seen it , but i have not criticised the movie.
I want to see something new and fresh , and Slumdog is fresh and vibrant.
BTW , I thought that Milk was not made for any awards either ., And was a very nice film.
lol @ the guy calling it ” Benjamin’s Bottom “. [ 39 ]
Milk looks like a lock for SAG ensemble.
Not necessarily, unfortunately. I can see Doubt, Frost/Nixon or even Slumdog winning first. The only thing that would surprise me is if Benjamin Button took this award.
Roger Ebert didn’t like it. So what? He’s going to tell you it’s not a good movie? Wouldn’t actually SEEING it tell you better?
And the “Gump” comparisons are mostly pedantic. There are obvious parallels in the films’ narrative structures, but as far as context, tone, and substance they are very different. Everything about “Button” feels absolutely fresh, and most of all, innovative.
@ HBK Fan:
You are pushing your foot even deeper into your mouth with comment #46. If you haven’t seen the movie, why pronounce on it secondhand?
So , does this mean it’s all over ?
What shall we talk about now ?
Who do you think will win IDOL ?
Benjamin button is a great film.
HBK,
I don’t get the Forrest Gump allusion. If it is based on a character whose life spans decades then yes, it is like Forrest Gump. But so is The Godfather Saga, Gone with the Wind, and The Last Emperor. I guess you could add in the fact that they are both Southerners, but hardly a significant connection.
Milk will win the SAG, and I’m laughing hard at the dumb who said here that The Reader is better than Milk. LOL
Slumdog and Milk are the two critical darlings of the 5 BP nominees.
Who stole my username ????
I’ll reserve any comment on the film now , maybe it is not bad and Roger Ebert is completely mistaken . [ Though i doubt it ]
Rob: This is where the comparison comes from.
That video doesn’t acknowledge the most glaring similarity, though: feather/hummingbird.
I actually really liked the READER , Thought it was a good movie.
Why are people hating the film so much ??
Hate harvey weinstein if you want to , but the film is good , and deserves a nomination .
Dark knight also deserves a nomination.
I Would have cut Frost / nixon .
Again, those are all very basic narrative similarities. The subtext and entire feeling of the films are totally different.
I was wondering how long it would take for someone to sue Slumdog for it’s demeaning, pejorative title.
@ Gentle Benj.
That is an awesome video.
Sasha posted it a few days back, but the Youtube got pulled. Credit goes to her for pointing it out.
ben sux: what a thoughtful assessment. Your genius is alarming.
I was wondering when someone would sue SM for that pejorative Title. Not long.
To Rob, #36 – I beg to differ about Slumdog’s creativity. You really oversimplified the structure of the movie. Yes, the movie is a love story, but so much more happens in the movie. I, for one, was struck by how a movie with such a bizarre plot – a kid on Who Wants to be a Millionaire is suspected of cheating and then in the process of questioning we see the significant moments of his life – turned out to be such an amazing story. I would never have imagined a TV game show could be such a compelling avenue into such a rich and adventurous story.
Also, I concur with poster #26 that the whole point of Slumdog is to provide a beautiful escape from the harsh realities of life. No, not all the characters are happy in the film. But our hero was happy and all of India was cheering for him. They felt his happiness as well. Even his brother, at the end, feels a certain happiness, or at least a peace, in Jamal and Latika’s happiness.
Oh, you mean in the afterlife?
[...] Mirrors the Globes, doesn’t it? And the Emmy’s in terms of the TV categories. For the most part. “Man on Wire” won in the documentary category. All deserving winners, in my opinion. I am no longer craving a surprise no matter how bored I get - I already got that with the Oscar nominations and I would be a fool to ask for the same ever again. [AD] [...]
SPOILER
Whether in the afterlife or not, he says “God is good” and he sacrifices himself for their happiness. He could have gone on living, but he found his peace in letting them be together.
Gentle Benj,
Wow. I guess there is a strong similarity. But then I guess that goes to Ben Button’s artistry, to create a film that didn’t feel (at least to me) like Forrest Gump.
Xtina… i am moved by your comment about being Indian and having the film touch your life… up until you said Milk was made to win awards… that stopped me cold. Milk was NEVER made to win awards. it was made by dedicated people and gay men behind the scenes who truly believed with their whole heart what Harvey Milk stood for. Dustin (the writer) made the script with the intention of giving people HOPE. Specially gay men in the heartlands who are still scorned, bullied and even bashed and killed.
No, XTINA, this was not Gus, Sean and the rest of the crew ’s intenton. cause it is not just the people of Mumbai that need hope… the kids who have been rejected by their parents, teenagers questioning themselves, wondering if they are really evil as was what some church and false prophets claim them to be. as harvey (and thru the film) have said clearly “YOU”VE GOT TO GIVE THEM HOPE.” No,Xtina… they weren’t made for the Oscars… it was made for the gwen araujos, the matthew shepards, and the bobby griffiths of the world.
I refuse to believe that any film is made just to get awards.
Let me say this. SM is ok. I do not feel that this was an uplifting film. The first three quarters of the film is disturbing beyond measure. It effectively killed any desire for me to travel to India.
In relation to the gameshow, it is the McGuffin of the film. He could have had the flashbacks by talking into a tape recorder a la Milk. Instead he told two interrogators. It is a cheap way to guarantee a happy ending. Did anyone doubt he wouldn’t win?
@HBK Fan
A lot of people are disagreeing with your comment.
Nobody believes that HBK is gonna win the Rumble.
I say Orton or – if he gets put back into the Rumble – Jericho.
Oh yeah, congrats to the SlumYardDog (get it?) on winning.
There is a lot of stuff to dislike about SM, the cheesy dialogue, the convenient coincidence of Questions / flashbacks (hey! they are all in order to Jamal’s life! hurray! doh), the diabetes-inducing love and friendship themes, but it does hit you hard when you see it. Will it stand the test of time?…. I am increasingly thinking, not so much. Last time I felt this way about a movie, it was Crash. But SM is far better. But still, it is the same feeling. The feeling that, by 3rd viewing, I will put in the shelf and never look at it again. Hope that is not the case!
T.
Has anyone thought to compare The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to…The Curious Case of Benjamin Button? Who started that common refrain , appliable to almost any two films….Fox Search Light?
Markie 27:
I completely agree. If they wanted to win awards only, besides people’s hearts, they wouldnt make a film with so many Anita Bryants roaming around.
Kudos to the crew behind Milk!
I’m pretty sure Xtina’s comment about Milk and BButton being made for awards was just out of passion and support for Slumdog. Being an indian myself, I know that indians can be quite passionate.
Slumdog is a great movie, and it’s a real eye-opener even for me, and I’ve lived in Bombay/Mumbai for about 18-19 years. It released here only a couple of days back, and I haven’t heard any feedback from people who’ve seen it, but I’ve been reading about it in the news literally every day.
Danny Boyle deserves a lot of credit for making this movie. He really did a great job in capturing the spirit of the city. He showed the ugly side effectively, and brought out the beauty of mumbai’s character at the same time. I suppose to some of you, it might seem odd to have these kids who are living such horrible lives to be able to smile and laugh… but it’s absolutely true of the people in mumbai. That’s what I love the most about this city. The way the movie blends Hollywood and Bollywood is simply amazing.
I don’t mean to gush about this movie, but it’s hard not to. I’ve been following the academy awards ever since 2000, and have always rued the fact that nothing from or about India gets recognized (except for Lagaan in 2001 – foreign film category). So to have a movie like this, and that too, based in my home city, reaching such a high profile international level is very touching. While I was in USA, I met a lot of people who could some times seem so ignorant about India. So to have more people watching this movie, and learning a bit more about India… and seeing it in a positive light as its shown in the movie, is great. I have my fingers crossed for A R Rahman as well. That guy is a legend.
For all the nay-sayers and Slumdog bashers, no hard feelings. I would probably doing the same if it were a different movie. People always want the less likely thing to happen.
Random thought on the SAG Ensemble award:
While I agree that it’ll most likely go to Milk (or Doubt, or Frost/Nixon) and that Benjamin Button is probably the least likely film to get it of the five, I’m starting to think Slumdog could deliver the “upset.”
Sure the Slumdog cast is full on unknowns, but isn’t the majority of SAG pretty much unknown? And in a year where the SAG is in a fight to get a better contract, this would be a perfect time to highlight the everyday non-celebritry actors. Like see we’re doing this for THEM, not the Brangelinas, Winslets, Penns, and Streeps of the world.
Just a thought.
If Slumdog wins SAG, its pretty much game over.
to ash:
I dont know if you are addressing any of my posts, but I hope it helps to understand when I say, my passion is WITH the people of Mumbai. It may seem contradictory but this is why I object to SM. I imagine the media there is flooded with SM glory, like it is just south of my border.
The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners:
The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to We Live in Public, directed by Ondi Timoner. The film portrays the story of the Internet’s revolutionary impact on human interaction as told through the eyes of maverick web pioneer, Josh Harris, and his transgressive art project that shocked New York.
The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire, directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul. The film tells the redemptive story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem struggling to overcome tremendous obstacles and discover her own voice.
The World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Rough Aunties, directed by Kim Longinotto. Fearless, feisty and unwavering, the ‘Rough Aunties’ protect and care for the abused, neglected and forgotten children of Durban, South Africa. United Kingdom
The World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to The Maid (La Nana), directed by Sebastián Silva. When her mistress brings on another servant to help with the chores, a bitter and introverted maid wreaks havoc on the household. Chile
The Audience Awards are presented to both a dramatic and documentary film in four Competition categories as voted by Sundance Film Festival audiences. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Audience Awards are presented by Honda.
The Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Documentary was presented to The Cove, directed by Louie Psihoyos. The horrors of a secret cove nestled off a small, coastal village in Japan are revealed by a group of activists.
The Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire, directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul. The film tells the redemptive story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem struggling to overcome tremendous obstacles and discover her own voice.
The World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary was presented to Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Pop Idol has come to television in Afghanistan: millions are watching and voting for their favorite singer. Marking’s film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk their lives to sing. Afghanistan/United Kingdom
The World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic was presented to An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby. In the early 60s, a sharp 16-year-old with sights set on Oxford meets a handsome older man whose sophistication enraptures and sidetracks both her and her parents. United Kingdom
Directing Awards recognize excellence in directing for dramatic and documentary features.
The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to El General and director Natalia Almada. As great-granddaughter of President Plutarco Eliás Calles, one of Mexico’s most controversial revolutionary figures, the filmmaker paints an intimate portrait of Mexico.
The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Sin Nombre, written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Filmmaker Fukunaga’s first-hand experiences with Mexican immigrants seeking the promise of the U.S. form the basis of this epic Spanish-language dramatic thriller.
The World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary was presented to Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Pop Idol has come to television in Afghanistan: millions are watching and voting for their favorite singer. Marking’s film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk their lives to sing. Afghanistan/United Kingdom
The World Cinema Directing Award: Dramatic was presented to Five Minutes of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert. Two men from the same town but from different sides of the Irish political divide discover that the past is never dead. United Kingdom/Ireland
The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award was presented to Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi for Paper Heart. Even though performer Charlyne Yi doesn’t believe in love, she bravely embarks on a quest to discover its true nature – a journey that takes on surprising urgency when she meets unlikely fellow traveler, actor Michael Cera.
The World Cinema Screenwriting Award was presented to Five Minutes of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert. Two men from the same town but from different sides of the Irish political divide discover that the past is never dead. United Kingdom/Ireland
The U.S. Documentary Editing Award was presented to Sergio. Directed by Greg Barker and edited by Karen Schmeer, the film examines the role of the United Nations and the international community through the life and experiences of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the U.N.’s High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The World Cinema Documentary Editing Award was presented to Burma VJ. Directed by Anders Østergaard and edited by Janus Billeskov Jansen and Thomas Papapetros. The film takes place in September 2007 as Burmese journalists risk life imprisonment to report from inside their sealed-off country. Denmark
The Excellence in Cinematography Awards honor exceptional cinematography in both dramatic and documentary categories.
The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to The September Issue. With unprecedented access, director R.J. Cutler, cinematographer Bob Richman and their crew shot for nine months to capture editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her team preparing the 2007 Vogue September issue, widely accepted as the “fashion bible” for the year’s trends.
The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Sin Nombre, written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Cinematographer: Adriano Goldman. Filmmaker Fukunaga’s first-hand experiences with Mexican immigrants seeking the promise of the U.S. form the basis of this epic Spanish-language dramatic thriller.
The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Documentary was presented to Big River Man, John Maringouin’s documentary about at an overweight, wine-swilling Slovenian world-record-holding endurance swimmer who resolves to brave the mighty Amazon in nothing but a Speedo. U.S.A./United Kingdom
The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Dramatic was presented to An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby. Cinematographer: John De Borman. In the early 1960s, a sharp 16-year-old girl with sights set on Oxford meets a handsome older man whose sophistication enraptures and sidetracks both her and her parents. United Kingdom
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Originality was presented to Louise-Michel, directed by Benoit Delépine and Gustave de Kervern, about a group of disgruntled female French factory workers who, after the factory abruptly closes, pool their paltry compensation money to hire a hit man to knock off the corrupt executive behind the closure. France
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Tibet in Song directed by Ngawang Choephel. Through the story of Tibetan music, this film depicts the determined efforts of Tibetan people, both in Tibet and in exile, to preserve their unique cultural identity. Choephel served six years of an 18-year prison sentence for filming in Tibet. Tibet
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Acting was presented to Catalina Saavedra for her portrayal of a bitter and introverted maid in The Maid (La Nana). Chile
A Special Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to Good Hair, directed by Jeff Stilson, in which comedian Chris Rock travels the world to examine the culture of African-American hair and hairstyles.
A Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence was presented to Humpday, Lynn Shelton’s farcical comedy about straight male bonding gone a little too far.
A Special Jury Prize for Acting was presented to Mo’Nique for her portrayal of a mentally ill mother who both emotionally and physically imprisons her daughter in Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire.
The 2009 Jury Prize in U.S. Short Filmmaking was awarded to: Short Term 12, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The jury also presented the International Jury Prize in International Short Filmmaking to Lies, directed by Jonas Odell. Honorable Mentions in Short Filmmaking were presented to The Attack of the Robots from Nebula-5, directed by Chema Garcia Ibarra; Protect You + Me, directed by Brady Corbet; Western Spaghetti, directed by PES; Jerrycan, directed by Julius Avery; Love You More, directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, I Live in the Woods, directed by Max Winston, Omelette, directed by Nadejda Koseva; and Treevenge, directed by Jason Eisener.
As announced on Friday, Adam, directed by Max Mayer, is the recipient of this year’s Alfred P. Sloan Prize. The Prize, which carries a $20,000 cash award to the filmmaker provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is presented to an outstanding feature film focusing on science or technology as a theme, or depicting a scientist, engineer or mathematician as a major character.
Sundance Institute and NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) on Thursday announced the winners of the 2009 Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Awards honoring and supporting emerging filmmakers–one each from the United States, Japan, Europe and Latin America. The winning filmmakers and projects for 2009 are Diego Lerman, Ciencias Morales (Moral Sciences) from Argentina; David Riker, The Girl, from the United States; Qurata Kenji, Speed Girl from Japan; and Lucile Hadzihalilovic, Evolution from France.
substance??? Did “Benjamin button” have any?
I just don’t get all the enthusiasm for Slumdog Millionaire. It’s an entertaining and well directed film, but it isn’t the great film the critics and guilds make it look like. Sorry, but it’s the most overrated film since Million Dollar Baby! Schmaltz, schmaltz, schmaltz! And the cinema verite style soooo many indies have! The performances weren’t impressive and the script – though complex – wasn’t really surprising. I don’t get it, sorry! To me it simply doesn’t deserve it! But Hollywood loves a Cinderella Story more than anybody else! After all – Ben Affleck and Matt Damon won best screenplay! It still makes me laugh…..
I can still see SAG ensemble going for Milk. Still, best picture Oscar goes to Slumdog – no question about it.
Slumdog may win 6 Oscars tops. In recent years, we’ve seen a lot of films getting 2-4 Oscars and not one film taking 6 or more. ROTK is the last exception, right?
Sasha, So it means that Slumdog will win oscar BP or what?
The Departed Lost GG, SAG and PGA, Million dollar baby lost GG, SAG and PGA. JS
Youre right Tonik ,those movies may have come back but Slumdog isnt against the big guns Scorsese (who was overdue his oscar) and Eastwood (who the academy love) which helped their movies get over the line
Andrew, yeah yeah, i know Fincher is an as…ole, Boyle is an as.. kisser.
Well, will see, 98% of people here predicting TDK in final five.
the end is nigh…
veeeerrrryyyy nigh…
Sasha, So it means that Slumdog will win oscar BP or what?
It is written.
mmm… Milk IS a project greenlighted awards-wise. Anyone thinking otherwise doesn’t know shit about how Hollywood works. Benjamin Buttom is the same kind of project. That doesn’t mean they can’t be art nor deep nor deserving of actually winning. In the case of Benjamin Buttom is actually the better film of the 3 nominees I’ve seen (Milk, Slumdog and it) and the more deserving. Slumdog Millionaire is, in its core, a retelling of The Thief from Baghdad (think twice about it, you’ll spot the points in common) only that adapted to “reality” and “now”… but it is still a fantasy – and almost noone would label it otherwise, it lacks credibility all around. It’s great filmmaking on a good screenplay.
Milk in exchange, is the weaker of the three. Still very good, but the one that most hard try to be “important” – which is, but not as much as it wants to or believes to be. It is a movie that could have been made with other, cheaper, names and wouldn’t have been damaged at all… but of course having Sean Penn as star would grab instant awards attention, and the producers know that a project like this needs the Awards and nominations to generate buzz and b.o. I personally wished that movies that weren’t dreaming of Awards as The Dark Knight, Wall·E or Let the Right One In would have been more aprecciated by the industry at the end of the year awards, but this is what it is, and we can’t change it. Here we can see the five nominees and see how four are taylored for Oscar: self-censorship, political correctness all around and the will to look important or at least, poignant.
I like Slumdog Millionaire a lot, but oddly enough, I don’t think it deserves to win. I agree with Sasha… unless there’s a huge surprise at DGA and Fincher – no other – takes it, this is Slumdog’s year. Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing at least. I’m thinking it’ll take Score and one more (song? hopefully no, and we’ll see Peter Gabriel walking up the stage)
“Can someone tell me what is the draw to this movie? Really! I want to know. I saw it and it was OK. I don’t see it as the film that is running away with all the awards?”
-Thank you.
I agree with The Natural (post 51). Roger Ebert can sometimes be off. Remember when he acted as if seeing “Crash” was some sort of religious experience.
Weird experience:
I rewatched the ending of “Last Days of Disco” last night and realized that it had a better Bollywood ending than Slumdog — Stillman actually wove the subway dance sequence into the plot of the film.
Who would have thought?
goooooooooo Slumdog…. gooooooooo. haters and bashers can’t stop you winning every single award.. gooooooooooooo
I know Slumdog is a lock but stilll… can’t we have a nice surprise or two?
Fincher for DGA?
Doubt for SAG?
Peter Morgan for WGA?
We’ll, looks like the PGA couldn’t grow a pair. I should’ve expected as much.
Nick K.: how did you expect otherwise? Only TDK was real competition…
Slumdog is a producer’s wet dream: cheap movie with unknowns gets universal acclaim and b.o. thanks mostly to word-of-mouth. Little investment, huge reward. Only TDK offered something as tasty – the “dignification” of a “minor”genre, making it worth “prestige” consideration… but still, TDK was an expensive movie full of stars.
Slumdog is gonna win. I like the movie. I wish it wouldn’t win the Oscar. But, realy of all the nominees Slumdog reflects the mood of the country…despearate for hope.
Which really explains The Departed and No Country for Old Men winning the Oscars during the Bush years.
The other movie that could have been a real winner after the election was MILK, but something about that cause turned bitter after all the weird boycotts of companies that donated monies to the yes vote.
[...] Source: Awards Daily [...]
I remember first hearing about Slumbdog back in September after it showed at TIFF. I found David Poland’s blog post about it, and it’s interesting to compare his take on the film’s chances to how we see it right now:
http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotbutton/2008/09/tiff_day_six_is_the_charm.html
Sept. 9 2008:
“If this weren’t a film set in India, it would be explosively commercial. But instead, it should just be a well-sold, modest hit for Searchlight, standing up honorably for telling a story that is richer than it absolutely has to be. We are all richer for it.
“It’s interesting that it is getting Oscar buzz in Toronto. Perhaps people are deluding themselves because the fest has been so sparse. But perhaps not. I do think for this film to get there, a domestic gross of over $50 million is absolutely mandatory… and I don’t know that $50m is possible. But it should be.”
“If this weren’t a film set in India, it would be explosively commercial. But instead, it should just be a well-sold, modest hit for Searchlight, standing up honorably for telling a story that is richer than it absolutely has to be. We are all richer for it.
“It’s interesting that it is getting Oscar buzz in Toronto. Perhaps people are deluding themselves because the fest has been so sparse. But perhaps not. I do think for this film to get there, a domestic gross of over $50 million is absolutely mandatory… and I don’t know that $50m is possible. But it should be.”
Heh heh heh. This would be my biggest nightmare – out there with my pants hanging down. By the same token, Tom O’Neil and Jeff Wells were both way out front raving about it. And Kris Tapley told me months ago that it was going to win everything. I remember around Toronto or Telluride it kind of burst forth.
Never shy about shameless self-plugging, we were onboard with Slumdog Millionaire as soon as the first ripples began to spread. Sasha posted Slumdog, Another Gem from Danny Boyle on August 31, and I posted the first clips here a couple of days later. It shot into the top 5 on our reader polls from the beginning. It was love at first sight, before we even saw it.
[...] Awards Daily Share [...]
@ Montana,
” The other films are not made for the fans , but for personal glory.
I Hate idiots who hate blindly on movies.
Say something constructive or keep your mouth shut ”
I liked Slumdog, but I found your post interesting.
I love when you don’t even need to think about a way to respond an argument, since they contradict themselves on the same paragraph.
Made for the fans, but for personal glory?? what does that even mean?
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=AJG1g_Us9Mo
you guys have to wacth this its soo funny.
even hitler is angry that the dark knight didn’t get nominated
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=AJG1g_Us9Mo
you have to watch this is soo funny!!
even hiltler is angry that the dark knight didn’t get nominated for oscar
Sasha and Ryan,
Thanks for pointing out your early praise for the film here — sorry I didn’t catch it when you first posted about it.
Did you expect this sort of backlash for the film? Do you think people at TIFF praised it so much because they thought it wouldn’t have legs on its own? Do you think people here would be so down on it if it were less hyped?
Do you think it got hyped so early because it was (as Poland said at the time) such a feel-good film in the midst of much more “serious” fare?
(And why is Dev Patel getting more attention than Anil Kapoor, who gave a more interesting performance?)
Slumdog winning the Producer’s Guild Award means that it will take the Oscar Now. The competitive race for Oscar is officially over.
Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Directing: Danny Boyle
Actor: Mickey Rourke
Actress: Kate Winslet
S. Actor: Heath Ledger
S. Actress: Marisa Tomei
O. Screenplay: Milk
A. Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire
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