London Critics’ Circle Award Winners

It’s an Amour love-in for the London Critics’ Circle. And the rest of the winners are rather lovely, too, even if the acting wins are for the most part on a par with what we’ve already seen during this year’s Oscar Race.

But London felt it was right to applaud Rust And Bone, The Imposter and Berberian Sound Studio which the Oscar nominations left out completely, with recognition also going to the wonderful Andrea Riseborough.

With a couple of other well-deserved wins for British talent, check out the full list of winners below:

2012 British Independent Film Award Winners

Just when it looked like Berberian Sound Studio and all involved might sweep the boards at the BIFAs, Rufus Norris’ directorial debut, Broken, messed it all up by winning the prize for Best British Independent Film. It also prevented Domhnall Gleeson from picking up Best Supporting Actor for Shadow Dancer – but my mad love for the Irish actor won’t stop me admitting how irritatingly talented Rory Kinnear is.

Talking of mad love, Olivia Colman walked away with her head held high for the second year running with a win for her portrayal of the Queen Mother in Hyde Park On Hudson. Will BAFTA actually take note this year? Who knows.

The Imposter – Oscar-shortlisted, don’t you know – took home Best Debut Director alongside its Best Documentary win. Can’t have them all, Rufus.

Check out the full list of winners below:

2012 British Independent Film Award Nominations

Never one to go with the obvious choices, BIFA’s 15th awards ceremony plays host to a set of nominations which once again prove the power of the documentary.

Although not as initially exciting as last year’s list, BIFA continue their mad love for Vanessa Redgrave and Olivia Colman while giving Robbie Ryan and Domnhall Gleeson recognition for their continued blistering form.

Rufus Norris’ Broken sets the bar with an impressive nine nominations including Best Film, Best Director and a bunch of acting nods, with Ben Wheatley’s Sightseers and Peter Strickland’s Berberian Sound Studio picking up seven.

I’m thrilled to see The Imposter deservedly crossing over from the Best Documentary category, with Bart Layton’s film earning six nominations including Best Director. As I mentioned yesterday, it’s not going to be a quiet season for him.

Though those pesky Americans may manage to pop up in the form of Meryl Streep and Elle Fanning, for those who prefer it quintessentially British (albeit set in India…), there’s no need to fear – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has earned itself a trio of acting nominations.

The winners will be announced for the seventh time by BIFA Patron, James Nesbitt, on December 9th at the Old Billingsgate in London. So, as ever, check out the full list of nominees below:

What I’m Watching – June 2012

This list only includes films I watched for the first time this month. My most recent viewing is the top entry:

Lawless (Dir: John Hillcoat, 2012) ****

God Bless America (Dir: Bobcat Goldthwait, 2011) ****

Sexual Chronicles Of A French Family (Dir: Pascal Arnold, Jean-Marc Barr, 2012) ***

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Dir: Timur Bekmambetov, 2012) **

Life Just Is (Dir: Alex Barrett, 2012) **

Small Creatures (Dir: Martin Wallace, 2010) *

Shadow Dancer (Dir: James Marsh, 2012) ****

Unconditional (Dir: Bryn Higgins, 2012) ****

Flying Blind (Dir: Katarzyna Klimkiewicz, 2012) ***

Young Dudes (Dir: Yin-jung Chen, 2012) **

Leave It On The Track (Dir: Benjamin Pascoe, 2011) ***

Fred (Dir: Richard Ledes, 2012) ***

The Imposter (Dir: Bart Layton, 2012) ****

Killer Joe (Dir: William Friedkin, 2012) ****

Mirage (Dir: Yang Jung-ho, 2012) ***

Pusher (Dir: Luis Prieto, 2012) ***

Girimunho (Dir: Clarissa Campolina, Helvecio Marins Jr, 2011) ***

Bottle Rocket (Dir: Wes Anderson, 1996) *****

Son Of Rambow (Dir: Garth Jennings, 2007) ****

The Muppets (Dir: James Bobin, 2011) ****

The Angels’ Share (Dir: Ken Loach, 2012) ****

Snow White And The Huntsman (Dir: Rupert Sanders, 2012) ****

Prometheus (Dir: Ridley Scott, 2012) ***