By: debbie lynn elias
In a year filled with imagination, creativity and even a step into the past with films, it seemed more than fitting to have an indie veterans, Anthony Mackie and Kate Beckinsale, as the presenters of the Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations, particularly after hearing the announcement of certain nominees.
Mackie, a two time Spirit Award nominee, is also one of the few living actors to perform in a silent movie; and not just one, but two, and in the 21st Century! One of the stars of Louis, the story of a young Louis Armstrong and how he got his first cornet, Mackie plays Buddy Bolden, the first “king” of the cornet in New Orleans. On the heels of Louis came Bolden!, the mythical story Buddy Bolden, in which Mackie reprises his role as Buddy Bolden, along with the rest of the Louis cast following similar suit. This year, it looks as if silence is golden as The Artist, not only already multiple award winner in various festivals and critics’ circles, but also an Oscar frontrunner, picked up 5 Spirit Award nominations, including Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Male Lead and Best Cinematography.
I caught up with Mackie and Beckinsale on the red carpet to talk about something dear to my heart and theirs – the Spirit Awards and Film Independent. First up was Anthony Mackie.
My favorite Lieutenant!
Mmm. Doctor! Doctor!
Let the record reflect that I told you at the Press day for The Hurt Locker, it was going all the way!
[laughing the entire time] I was surprised!
I know! I know! So here we are. The Spirit Awards nominations. You’re a two time Spirit Award nominee yourself. What is the importance and relevance of the Spirit Awards, and an organization like Film Independent?
It lets the filmmaker know that they’ve done something right. I feel like a lot of time as an artist and filmmaker, you get lost in the shuffle because you don’t have the big 3D spectacle to support your film. I think there’s something about storytelling that’s been lost at the heart of filmmaking. Everytime you come here [to Spirit Awards/Film Independent] you know that you are guaranteed a great story with a really good film. I feel like the Independent Spirit Awards exemplify that.
And given your love for storytelling, will we see you stepping behind the camera and taking advantage of some of Film Independent‘s many resources?
[laughing] No time soon. I know my limitations. I feel like there are too many people doing too many things mediocre. Mediocrity has become the norm. So, I feel like if I direct something I would be a mediocre director because I’m not a director. I’m an actor. I’m Leonardo DiCaprio looking for my Scorsese.
Joining Mackie on the red carpet and in announcing the Spirit Awards nominations is one of my favorite people, Kate Becksinsale. A true champion of independent films, they hold a special place in her heart, again thanks to incredible stories.
Hello again, Kate!
Hello, Hello!
We haven’t seen each other since Nothing But the Truth.
That’s true!
And every time I see you, it seems you‘ve just been swinging yourself in the air, doing all sorts of bizarre stunt things. Now you’ve got Underworld Awakening coming up.
Yea. That was a year!
You are a big champion of independent films and you celebrate them in your work with the roles you take and in supporting the work of others. What do you feel is the most important aspect of Film Independent and particularly, the Independent Spirit Awards? What does that do for filmmakers and for the public?
It’s interesting that you mentioned Nothing But the Truth. One of the great tragedies of my life is that that actually had an act of God situation that never came out. I think one of the things that’ wonderful about the awards show, is that it’s specifically for independent movies. It does mean that people get interested, more interested, and go and see the movies because they’ve heard so and so is nominated, this movie’s nominated. And it actually means that these films, which are so deserved of a really wide audience and tend to have to compete with movies that have every single bus billboard covered, really do get a little bit of push from this kind of thing. So, I am a big fan of that. All the movies, the independent movies, actually need an awards show more than anybody else.
And what about your own aspirations with independent film? Will we see you stepping behind the camera at some point?
I don’t know. I would have probably said yes, but now I’m married to a director and I don’t know…I’d probably be annoyed if he suddenly said he wanted to become an actor. I’d feel so weird.
Being married to a director, does that now give you a different perspective when you look at films?
Very much so, yes. And actually not so much when I look at films, but when I’m working on films. I used to go walk on set and go, “Oh, I never really imagined that my bed would be here.” I would never say that now [laughing] because actors don’t realize how long the director’s been working on this movie – weeks and weeks and weeks before he shows up. So you have to be much more tactful and understanding. And [directors] really work hard. I don’t feel I’m ever allowed to complain about being tired now.
And how big a thrill was it for you this morning to get to do the nominations announcements? This is the first time you’ve done it.
Yes, it is! I’ve done the Golden Globes before but I’ve never done Independent Spirit [Awards]. And I must say, I do feel because I started out in England, I didn’t know what an independent film was because that was just “films.” We didn’t have studios or anything there. So I do feel this is kind of bit more my comfort zone and it’s nice to be part of celebrating everybody’s brilliant work this year.
I’m so glad you were able to be here. And how’s Lily [her daughter with actor Michael Sheen]?
Oh thank you! She’s amazing. And nearly 13. It’s shocking. Every day is a new thing.
I feel so old. We‘ve spent years talking about her growing up.
I do, too! Imagine how I feel. And there’s are all these Snow White movies coming out and I just don’t get it…. [going into character as the Evil Queen and laughing], “You’re very pretty. Why did you eat this apple?” Things are like that in my house!
Rest assured that both Anthony Mackie and Kate Beckinsale will be anxiously waiting and watching as we count down to the 27th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 25, 2012. And luckily for Beckinsale, there will be no Snow White movies to conflict that day!
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