'Moonlight' wins big at Spirit Awards
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Academy has yet to give out its awards, but Moonlight is already a big winner this weekend, scoring the most Spirit Awards for a movie in the last decade.
The coming-of-age story swept Saturday's Film Independent Spirit Awards — a ceremony that takes place a day before the Oscars — taking home trophies for best feature, director, screenplay, cinematography and editing as well as the Robert Altman Award, which is presented to the cast, director and casting director. Other big winners included The Witch for best first feature and first screenplay, best actor for Manchester by the Sea's Casey Affleck and best actress for Elle's Isabelle Huppert.
Spirit Awards have 'Non-Memoriam' segment, because too many stars died
At the laid-back awards show, artists spoke to the need for greater representation in film and political resistance, despite the fact that hosts John Mulaney and Nick Kroll joked those messages wouldn't be widely received.
"(The show airs) on IFC. In terms of impact, you can say it directly into camera, or you can whisper it in the bathroom," said Mulaney.
Nevertheless, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins said backstage that his movie about a black man struggling to navigate his sexuality exists as this "beacon of inclusivity." Going forward, he said, "we've got to tell more stories that speak truth to power."
Affleck, who called President Trump's administration "abhorrent" during his acceptance speech for Manchester, told reporters about his concern for the new education secretary's agenda and "the torrent of terrifying news that comes out of Washington every day."
"I know this feels preachy and boring, but I’m just lending my little voice to the chorus," he added.
The show had lighter notes, too. Mulaney and Kroll set the tone early in a joke-filled opening monologue in which they talked about how somber the nominated films were. "These movies were so harsh, I had to watch A Dog's Purpose to cheer up. And I mean the behind-the-scenes footage," said Kroll.
Following that zinger, the hosts wanted to roast Samuel L. Jackson, but realized the actor wasn't at his seat. So when Jackson arrived late, they asked, "Did you delete Uber a couple of weeks ago, and then you got stranded, and then you re-downloaded Uber?"
In addition to playful jabs at guests, the hosts also took aim at 2016, a rough year for celebrity deaths. "We thought it would be more efficient to do a reel of people who did not die," Mulaney quipped.
Superstar! Molly Shannon accepts Spirit Award with signature move
For the "Not In Memoriam" segment, Andy Samberg took the stage to do his best Eddie Vedder impression and sing Alive about stars who are still alive — at least until Fred Armisen staged his death in the audience.
Samberg and Armisen's former Saturday Night Live castmate Molly Shannon accepted the supporting actress award for Other People with an emotional speech, before lunging into her signature "Superstar" pose from her 1999 cult comedy Superstar.
Other winners were Hell or High Water's Ben Foster (best supporting actor), O.J.: Made in America (documentary),Toni Erdmann (international film) and Spa Night (John Cassavetes Award).
