Gotham Indie Film Awards Cheer Up Wall Street
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The 18th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards, which honor the best of indie film, were held at Cipriani Wall Street in Downtown Manhattan.
Sean Penn, who plays Harvey Milk in the Gus Van Sant film "Milk," introduced a tribute to his director.
Penelope Cruz, who has two films in theaters now - Woody Allen's "Vicky Christina Barcelona" and Isabel Coixet's "Elegy" - was honored with a special tribute by "Elegy" co-star Sir Ben Kingsley.
George Whipple: Very hard to be opposite Miss Cruz.
Kingsley: Why hard?
Whipple: Wasn't it difficult for you to be in the same room with her?
Kingsley: Not as all, we're equals! We're equal gladiators!
Cruz was pleased to receive the attention.
Whipple: How does it feel to be recognized by this organization?
Cruz: Very honored, very excited! It celebrates independence in indie films and I'm really happy to be considered part of that group.
Another honoree was quintessential New York filmmaker and actor Melvin Van Peebles. The godfather of modern black cinema, best known for his 1971 "Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song," felt the ceremony gave him his just deserts.
"About time!" said Van Peebles.
Jennifer Esposito was on the jury for the Gotham Awards.
"Independent films have a say, have a voice and I think it's great here we can honor that in New York," she said.
Marisa Tomei and Michelle Williams gave the Best Feature Film Award to "Frozen River." Melissa Leo, who stars in that film, won the Breakthrough Actor Award.
"It's a thrilling escapade that these two women go on that is grounded entirely in reality," said Leo.
Lance Hammer won Breakthrough Director for his film "Ballast."
"It's about grieving, it's about trying to find purpose to proceed after a very traumatic event," said Hammer.
Comedian Aasif Mandvi, the award ceremony's host, said he was looking forward to move than the films.
Whipple: You don't care about Evan Rachel Wood or Penelope Cruz?
Mandvi: No, I don't care about any of that stuff, just Sir Ben. Sir Ben's my hero. That's who I'm here to meet tonight!
Hollywood may have the Oscars, but the city's Gotham Independence Film Awards celebrate the spirit of independence.