Women Win Big at Sundance

Push the film based on the novel by Sapphire was the big winner last night when the awards were given out at the end of the Sundance Film Festival.  The film won the Grand Jury Prize for Drama, and the Audience award and a special award for Mo’Nique for her acting.  Wow.

Film doesn’t yet have distribution, but hopefully now someone will sign on.  I think this would be a great opportunity for Tyler Perry.  I know that he is pretty much focused on his own work but he has a built in list and if he (or even Oprah) would put their names and muscle behind this film I bet it could get a release.  Even though I have not seen the film I would guess that from the reception and reviews and awards that the issue with this film will be its hard content especially in this market.

Winning an award at Sundance does not guarantee a distribution deal or success at the box office..  Looking back at the awards of the last couple of years some of the films came and went like Forty Shades of Blue (2005 Grand Jury Prize- Drama); Quinceañera (which won both the audience award and Grand Jury prize in 2006); Padre Neustro (Grand Jury Prize 2007- I don’t think this one ever got a US release); Grace is Gone (Audience Award 2007- made no money at the box office).

But, both of lasts year’s Grand Jury Prize winners Trouble the Water (doc) and Frozen River (drama) are about women and directed by women (Trouble the Water has male and female co-directors) and both are up for Oscars.  So that’s good news.

Here what director Lee Daniels said last night at the ceremony:

“We don’t have no money. We got $2 to make some s— happen. We’re doing this story about this fat black girl who doesn’t have a voice. They’re all in it for the craft.” When asked to look at the bigger picture for his film — which still lacks distribution — he explained, “I think [this win] means there’s hope for people of color. Just because Obama’s president doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to translate down to our world of cinema. And I think what it does is reiterate and strengthen this power of, Get yourself a freakin’ video camera. And you go out and tell your truth. That’s what I started doing as a kid, and I think inevitably, it led to this. It’s just so much hope.”

Here are the other women and women’s films that won awards

Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary We Live in Public directed by Ondi Timoner
Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire
World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary Rough Aunties directed by Kim Longinotto. (congrats to Women Make Movies who is handling distribution of this film)
World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic The Maid (La Nana)
World Cinema Audience and Directing Award: Documentary Afghan Star directed by Havana Marking
World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic An Education directed by Lone Scherfig
Directing Award: U.S. Documentary El General, director Natalia Almada
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi, Paper Heart
U.S. Documentary Editing Award Sergio edited by Karen Schmeer
Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary The September Issue, cinematographer Bob Richman
World Cinema Cinematography Award: Dramatic An Education, cinematographer John De Borman
World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Originality Louise-Michel
World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Acting Catalina Saavedra, The Maid (La Nana)
Special Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary Good Hair
Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence Humpday directed by Lynn Shelton
Special Jury Prize for Acting Mo’Nique, Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire

‘Push’ wins big at Sundance Awards (Variety)

Interview with Mo’Nique (Spout)