Japanese drama “Drive My Car” was named as Best Picture of the Year 2021 on Saturday by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA). It was announced by Claudia Puig, President of LAFCA.
Adapted from Haruki Murakami’s short story and directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, the film features deep conversations between a widowed theater actor and a skilled female driver, traveling a path of love, loss, acceptance and peace.
“Drive My Car” was selected as the Japanese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the upcoming 94th Academy Awards.
“Our awards cover a lot of ground and genres and they also span the globe,” said Claudia Puig, President of Los Angeles Film Critics Association. “We are thrilled to spread our love and appreciation for this breadth of outstanding films.”
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association critics voted to award the best director and the best cinematography to Jane Campion’s Western drama film “The Power of the Dog.”
The best actor award went to Simon Rex for his role in the comedy drama film “Red Rocket.” Penelope Cruz took home the best actress award for her performance in the Spanish drama film “Parallel Mothers.”
Vincent Lindon from the horror film “Titane” and Kodi Smit-McPhee from “The Power of the Dog” tied for best supporting actor while Ariana DeBose from the musical drama “West Side Story” was named best supporting actress.
Founded in 1975, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association is comprised of Los Angeles-based, professional film critics working in the Los Angeles print and electronic media.
Award winners are:
PICTURE: DRIVE MY CAR
Runner-up: THE POWER OF THE DOG
DIRECTOR: Jane Campion, THE POWER OF THE DOG
Runner-up: Ryusuke Hamaguchi, DRIVE MY CAR
ACTOR: Simon Rex, RED ROCKET
Runner-up: Benedict Cumberbatch, THE POWER OF THE DOG
ACTRESS: Penélope Cruz, PARALLEL MOTHERS
Runner-up: Renate Reinsve, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD
SUPPORTING ACTOR (tie): Vincent Lindon, TITANE, and Kodi Smit-McPhee, THE POWER OF THE DOG
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Ariana DeBose, WEST SIDE STORY
Runner-up: Aunjanue Ellis, KING RICHARD
SCREENPLAY: Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Takamasa Oe, DRIVE MY CAR
Runner-up: Paul Thomas Anderson, LICORICE PIZZA
ANIMATION: FLEE
Runner-up: BELLE
BEST FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: PETITE MAMAN
Runner-up: QUO VADIS, AIDA?
DOCUMENTARY / NON-FICTION FILM: SUMMER OF SOUL
Runner-up: PROCESSION
NEW GENERATION (tie): Shatara Michelle Ford, TEST PATTERN, and Tatiana Huezo, PRAYERS FOR THE STOLEN
FILM EDITING: Joshua L. Pearson, SUMMER OF SOUL
Runner-up: Andy Jurgensen, LICORICE PIZZA
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ari Wegner, THE POWER OF THE DOG
Runner-up: Greig Fraser, DUNE
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Steve Saklad, BARB AND STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR
Runner-up: Tamara Deverell, NIGHTMARE ALLEY
MUSIC/SCORE: Alberto Iglesias, PARALLEL MOTHERS
Runner-up: Jonny Greenwood, THE POWER OF THE DOG and SPENCER
DOUGLAS E. EDWARDS INDEPENDENT/EXPERIMENTAL FILM/VIDEO: THE WORKS AND DAYS (OF TAYOKO SHIOJIRI IN THE SHIOTANI BASIN)
CAREER ACHIEVEMENT: Mel Brooks
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