(2 Mar 2014) MCCONAUGHEY, LETO RIDE WAVE OF SUCCESS AT INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
On the eve of the Academy Awards (1 MARCH 2014), Hollywood A-listers arrived to the Independent Spirit Awards, a more laid-back, beachside ceremony in Santa Monica, just west of Los Angeles.
The Spirit Awards could end up being - more than ever before - a dress rehearsal to Sunday's Academy Awards. "12 Years a Slave" is considered, albeit extremely narrowly, the favorite for best picture over the space spectacle "Gravity" and the 1970s con-artist "American Hustle." (Neither film was eligible at the Spirits, which honor films made for $20 million or less.)
"12 Years a Slave" took home five awards, including best feature.
The acting winners, too, may line up. All of the Oscar favorites won Saturday at the Spirits, including best actor for Matthew McConaughey in "Dallas Buyers Club" and Cate Blanchett in "Blue Jasmine." McConaughey's co-star, Jared Leto, won best male supporting performance.
"It means I'm really enjoying what I'm doin'. And I'm real happy that two years later, a year and a half later, they resonated, they translated, they communicated with people. A light's being shown on 'em. There's no guarantee of that. There's hardly even an expectation of that. The making of the films already fulfilled me so much that I didn't expect this but to have an owl light shown on these films, on these experiences that I had with a lot of great people and filmmakers and people making stories that not everyone wants to make, makes me have a little bit extra kick in my step, a little extra honor about being here," said McConaughey of his nomination, as he arrived on the red carpet.
When the awards season madness comes to an end the 44-year-old actor plans to relax with his wife and family.
"We'll hang out with the family, get up, probably sleep in 'til the kids come wake us up and we'll cook a big fat breakfast and start the day and see what happens."
Leto said the Spirit Awards were important to him because independent films are his favorite genre.
"I'm a big believer in independent cinema. I've made a career out of that and I'm happy to support independent film and those are the movies I like to watch so I hope they keep making them."
Looking ahead to the Oscars, the best supporting actor front runner said he's already a winner.
"Well, I mean, it sets up an interesting expectation which can lead to great disappointment so you never know," said Leto. I'm happy to be a part of it and win or lose I think I've already won in a way," he said.
Patton Oswalt, the host of the show, admitted to nerves beforehand.
"Excitement is a good word for it. I think more excitement, kind of blending into terror a bit. Does that make sense? So a combination of those."
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