ASC AWARDS GREIG FRASER IN SURPRISE RESULT

It was all going La La Land's way this awards season en route to Oscar glory, until the American Society of Cinematographers rang in. Long-underappreciated DP Greig Fraser wins the ASC's top award for Lion in a remarkable coup - many thought he wouldn't even be nominated - as Garth Davis' debut feature film continues to pick up goodwill with awards voters and audiences alike. Don't expect him to surprise at Oscar - that's probably still La La Land's - but this is a pleasant victory for Fraser and his film nonetheless. And an excellent choice in the Spotlight category too. Check out the ASC's nominations at this link.

Theatrical Award
Greig Fraser (Lion)

Spotlight Award
Gorka Gomez Andreu (House of Others)

Vilmos Zsigmond Graduate Heritage Award
Andrew Jeric (Prisoner)

Vilmos Zsigmond Undergraduate Heritage Award
Emmett Sutherland (Closer)

Haskell Wexler Student Documentary Award
Colin F. Shepherd (Into the Microscope)

Board of Governors Award
Denzel Washington

Presidents Award
Nancy Schreiber

International Award
Philippe Rousselot

Lifetime Achievement Award
Edward Lachman

LFF 2016 REVIEW - LION (GARTH DAVIS)

As a distant memory conjures up only a fleeting image in one's mind, so too do the opening credits of Lion scurry past before fading away, as the film itself seems destined to. Early and often, emphasis is placed upon emphasis alone, an attempt at hammering home the potent dramatic tenor of this incredible true story, with little attention toward developing that which might make the viewer share in its characters' emotional turmoil. Empty stylistic gestures gently adorn Lion, cooking up the occasional memorable image, but otherwise of little actual impact. Trauma is co-opted under the strictures of convention for a commercialized fantasy, and one can only wonder what effect the film might have had under the guidance of more sensitive hands. Luke Davies' screenplay prioritizes reverence to factual truth over emotional truth, and Garth Davis conspires in sacrificing the potential for genuine affective heft in favour of excessive adherence to narrative credibility, yet with deviations in the direction of cliche throughout. Should I just stop kicking this film while I've already got it down? I think so, because there remains a lot to like about Lion. Even under questionable creative direction, the power of such an astonishing true story told with kindness gives the film undeniable purpose, and gives the cast a wealth of strong material with which to work. Nicole Kidman and Sunny Pawar are excellent, and Dev Patel delves deep into his role in order to rise above his film, handling a highly difficult task with apparent ease. Hollow actors' showcases have never been my thing, but Lion gets by on at least not being the worst.

LFF 2016 PREVIEW: LION

A dignified, authentic yet highly-moving crowd-pleaser

Fionnuala Halligan, Screen Daily

A sober and yet profoundly stirring contemplation of family, roots, identity and home

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

I've been singing the praises of Australian director Garth Davis ever since he collaborated with the great Jane Campion on her fabulous TV series Top of the Lake. So there was little doubting that his new film Lion would make my LFF 2016 watchlist. The film has just claimed the first runner-up spot in the People's Choice awards at TIFF and, with The Weinstein Company behind it, this true-story drama looks headed for potential awards glory later this year and into 2017. Dev Patel, Rooney Mara and Nicole Kidman star. Released in North America on the 25th of November.

TRAILER: GARTH DAVIS' LION WITH DEV PATEL

You did not know how much you wanted to see Lion, unless you've seen Top of the Lake on TV. Garth Davis directed the shit out of his episodes of Jane Campion's marvellous first season of the mini-series, and no doubt he's brought that same strong dramatic sensibility to this film, which The Weinstein Company is priming as their top pick for awards season. It shows at the Toronto International Film Festival next month, before opening in the US on the 25th of November. Check out the first trailer, with Dev Patel, Rooney Mara and Nicole Kidman, above.