The approach of the Director’s Guild Awards (followed soon thereafter by the announcement of the Oscar nominations) has led to numerous interesting conversation topics. The battle for Best Picture—and, fittingly, Best Director–has come down to a pair of star-crossed ex-lovers. Of course, I’m referring to James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow (of Avatar and The Hurt Locker, respectively) who happen to have been married. While the press has hoped to get some juicy “I deserve it more than that bitch/asshole,” the two directors have played it cool–always diplomatic, insisting that the other deserve it more. That’s because they understand that the road to Oscar is not always based on quality. It’s also diplomacy. And both have much to gain from picking up a Best Director and/or Best Picture Oscar statue come March 7.
James Cameron: Avatar
Now being the highest-grossing film EVER, one would think Cameron has everything he needs. But that would certainly be undermining the “king of the world.” Cameron never doubted he had commercial appeal, but critics love to deem his work low-brow. Avatar represents Cameron’s life-work. He spent nearly 10 years developing this technology, investing both time and money. An Avatar/Cameron win would certainly represent the industry’s embrace of Cameron’s technology and work.
At the beginning of the Race, Avatar seemed somewhat tied for frontrunner status with Up in the Air and The Hurt Locker. With the Golden Globe for Best Picture AND Best Director, along with the record-breaking numbers at the box office, Avatar has definitely slid into front-runner status. Yet, the Producer’s Guild Award for Best Picture went to The Hurt Locker. Yes, that’s right—PRODUCERS! They’re the ones who are supposed to care most about the money, yet they chose a tiny film that has barely made any. Which brings us to…
Kathryn Bigelow: The Hurt Locker
In many ways, The Hurt Locker could not be further from Avatar. The tiny film was barely released in theaters. It’s slow. It’s gritty realism. And it’s another film about Iraq?!? But many critics say this is THE film about Iraq. And that is not something to be taken lightly.
Furthermore. Bigelow would be the first woman in Oscar history to win either Best Director or Best Picture. Some have claimed that if Ridley Scott directed this film, it wouldn’t be getting this attention. But, of course, Ridley Scott never would have directed this film. A woman did, and it’s fabulous!
Other than the box office, The Hurt Locker has nailed all the markers of “Oscar Race” necessities to move forward with a Best Picture win. Consider the following awards for Bigelow as Best Director:
Boston Society of Film Critics
Austin Film Critics
Broadcast Film Critics
Chicago Film Critics
Hollywood Film Festival (Director of the Year)
Kansas City Film Critics
Las Vegas Film Critics
San Francisco Film Critics
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Golden Satellites
Southeastern Film Critics
Toronto Film Critics
Washington DC Film Critics
Los Angeles Film Critics
New York Film Critics
National Society of Film Critics
But the noticeably absent award was the Golden Globe which went to ex-hubby Cameron. A win with the Director’s Guild, composed of more than 1000 members vs. the Foreign Press’s (they choose the Golden Globes) measly 100, just might seal the deal.
The Director’s Guild Awards are this Saturday, January 30.
The Nominations for the Oscars are announced Tuesday, February 2.
The 82nd Academy Awards presentation will be Sunday, March 2.
