Published : Oct. 16, 2016 - 15:16
Writer-director Kelly Reichardt’s spare and subtle Montana drama “Certain Women” won the best-picture prize Saturday at the London Film Festival, while “12 Years a Slave” director Steve McQueen received a major career award.
A jury headed by Greek director Athina Rachel Tsangari praised the masterful imagery and quiet modesty of Reichardt’s film about three women -- played by Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams and Laura Dern -- struggling with life in a chilly small town.
The director is known for moving, minimalist dramas including “Wendy and Lucy” and “Meek’s Cutoff.”
Kristen Stewart in "Certain Women" (Toronto International Film Festival)
“Certain Women” beat other nominees including Paul Verhoeven’s provocative revenge thriller “Elle”; Barry Jenkins’ Miami coming-of-age drama “Moonlight”; and Chilean director Pablo Larrain’s poet biopic “Neruda.”
French director Julia Ducournau’s horror story “Raw” was named best first feature during the festival’s black-tie awards ceremony at London’s 17th-century Banqueting House.
Iranian director Mehrdad Oskouei’s portrait of teenage inmates, “Starless Dreams,” was named best documentary, and Syrian photographer Issa Touma’s “9 Days -- From My Window in Aleppo” won the short-film prize.
McQueen, a British director and Turner Prize-winning video artist, was presented with the British Film Institute Fellowship award by actor Michael Fassbender, who has appeared in all three of the director’s feature films -- “Hunger,” “Shame” and “12 Years a Slave.”
When the award was announced last month, BFI Chairman Josh Berger said McQueen “has consistently explored the endurance of humanity -- even when it is confronted by inhumane cruelty -- with a poetry and visual style that he has made his own.”
The 60-year-old London festival has sought this year to encourage diversity in the film industry, opening with Amma Asante’s “A United Kingdom.” A tale of interracial love and politics inspired by real events, it marked the first time that a black female director has held the prestigious opening slot at the festival.
The 12-day event screened some 250 features, and also included a symposium on why black actors remain underrepresented onscreen in Britain and the United States. (AP)