12th Independent Spirit Awards
The twelfth ceremony of the Independent Spirit Awards took place on 22 March 1997.
Summary
It was the year of Fargo ( six awards ) and the year of film actors as directors and screenwriters: Stanley Tucci won as screenwriter debutant for Big Night against Steve Buscemi for Trees Lounge. Billy Bob Thornton won the award for the best debut film for Sling Blade against Tucci and Buscemi. Al Pacino was nominated for Looking for Richard in the documentary competition " Truer Than Fiction ". Two other actors had reason to celebrate: William H. Macy won his third nomination an award, Benicio Del Toro won consecutively for the second time. The big loser of the night was John Sayles: Lone Star, his film was nominated for four awards and won only one. Sayles himself went blank. Thus, one of the most prestigious independent directors America has not won any Independent Spirit Award. Another loser was Robby Müller, cinematographer for Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man nominated four times, who could not win at the fourth attempt. Mike Leigh, however, raised his fourth nomination the price - the best foreign film, against top-class competition: Gianni Amelio, Danny Boyle, Wong Kar- Wai and Lars von Trier.
Winners and nominees
Best Picture
Fargo - Ethan Coen
Best Debut Film
Best Actor
William H. Macy - Fargo
Best Actress
Frances McDormand - Fargo
Best Supporting Actor
Benicio del Toro - Basquiat
Best Supporting Actress
Elizabeth Peña - Lone Star
Best screen debut
Heather Matarazzo - Welcome to the Dollhouse (Welcome to the Dollhouse )
Best Director
Joel Coen - Fargo
Best Screenplay
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen - Fargo
Best Screenplay debut
Joseph Tropiano, Stanley Tucci - Big Night
Best Camera
Roger Deakins - Fargo
Truer Than Fiction Award
Leon Gast - When We Were Kings - Once we were kings
Best Foreign Language Film
Mike Leigh - Secrets and Lies ( Secrets & Lies)
Someone to Watch Award
Larry Fessenden - Habit
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- Independent Spirit Awards
- Awards Ceremony 1997
- Film 1997