If you need any more proof that I’m one of the main cinematic tastemakers of the 21st century, I draw your attention to the audience awards at the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival. Three films that I have been championing for months took home trophies from the fest that proudly proclaims ‘Audience is King.’
The Wackness – still the best film of 2008 – won the audience award for narrative filmmaking, while the wonderful and funny and moving Anvil! The Story of Anvil won the award for documentary filmmaking. Man on Wire, the inspiring documentary about a Frenchman who walked a tightrope between the Twin Towers in 1974, won for best foreign film. All three of these movies were films I saw at Sundance and have been so excited about ever since. It’s incredibly gratifying to see these movies continue to make an impact on audiences, and to hope that these sorts of awards open them up to more people. One of the hardest parts of my job is knowing that so many of the films I champion will never play anywhere near the majority of my readers – continued successes like these make it more likely that more people in more places will have a chance to see the films.
So congrats to everybody. The Wackness is opening this weekend (look for an epic interview with director Jonathan Levine here soon) – be sure to support the little guy by going out and seeing it.