Cumberbatch, Pitt, Keaton CELEBRATE at PALM SPRINGS FESTIVAL GALA
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lifestyle MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2015 Awards Cumberbatch, Pitt, Keaton CELEBRATE AT PALM SPRINGS FESTIVAL GALA tars and filmmakers turned out Saturday evening on a cold, clear desert night to celebrate the Palm SSprings Film Festival honorees. Scheduled after the first round of Oscar ballots have gone out, the cere- mony at Palm Springs Convention Center recognizes a cross-section of films in the awards conversation. Though Robert Downey Jr and Brad Pitt were presen- ters, not honorees, they helped add glamour to an evening packed full of warm anecdotes told by long- time collaborators. Benedict Cumberbatch, Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore, Michael Keaton and Shirley MacLaine were among other big names at the awards ceremony which was again hosted by the eter- nally perky Mary Hart. Festival chairman Harold Matzner pointed out that 10 of last year’s 11 honorees ended up with Oscar nomi- nations, a feat of advance prediction which can’t be easy considering how quickly the Oscar winds can change. The respectful but playful stars were well- behaved, and one of the lively moments came when Pitt encouraged the audience to sing and help the audi- ence learn how to pronounce David Oyelowo. Mob scene “Gone Girl” supporting actresses Kim Dickens and Carrie Coon kicked off the evening, giving the film’s star Rosamund Pike the Breakthrough Actress award. Wearing a striking black tent dress, Pike talked about her early role in “Die Another Day” and said she was glad the Palm Springs Fest “has decided that I am good enough.” After Pitt led the crowd in an “Oyelowo” singa- Brad Pitt presents the breakthrough performance award - actor at the 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Saturday in long, the “Selma” star and Breakthrough Actor award Palm Springs. — AP photos recipient said, “You know you have broken through when Brad Pitt sings your name.” Oyelowo talked about into a lengthy and almost over-the-top explanation of the mob scene that ensues when his four children get her amazingness. “I know Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, together with Pitt’s six, and thanked Pitt along with and she makes them both look like a-holes,” he said. Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay for getting the film Also, “You can never see her acting.” MacLaine, perhaps made. the only star in attendance with clairvoyant powers, Jason Reitman presented the Spotlight award to appropriately presented her “Bernie” director Richard “Whiplash” supporting actor J.K. Simmons, who has Linklater with the Visionary award for “Boyhood.” appeared in most of Reitman’s films. Simmons’ speech Explaining that Linklater’s laid-back approach to direct- remembered co-star Miles Teller for being “supremely ing often results in him answering “I don’t know” to any slappable” and writer-director Damien Chazelle for pro- questions about how to play a part, she said he was viding him with a story “that leapt off the page.” nonetheless able to help her “discover my inner bitch.” Downey Jr called his “The Judge” co-star Robert Duvall Linklater quipped back, “At night, we would have con- “an iron-jawed icon of American manhood,” and joked, versations in another realm.” He thanked the “Boyhood” “We gotta get through this, my chopper’s idling on the cast and crew for carrying out a group vision of the film. roof.” Accepting the Icon award, Duvall thanked Warner Bros’ marketing and distribution topper Sue Kroll for her support of the film and reminisced about his New York Brad Pitt, right, presents the breakthrough performance acting days with Dustin Hoffman. award - actor to David Steve Carell continued Pitt’s shtick, singing the name Oyelowo for ‘Selma’. of his “Crazy Stupid Love” co-star Moore, then launching Robert Downey Jr presents the icon award. Robert Duvall accepts the icon award. Morten Tyldum, second from left, and Alex Lawther, Benedict Cumberbatch, Allen Leech and Matthew Beard, winners of the ensemble performance award for ‘The Imitation Game’, pose in the press room. Chaz Ebert arrives at the 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Jason Reitman presents the spotlight award. Director Morten Tyldum presents the ensemble performance award. Festival Awards Gala. Julianne Moore, winner of the Desert Palm achievement award - actress for “Still Benedict Cumberbatch, left, and Allen Leech, of “The Imitation Game”, Reese Witherspoon, winner of the chairmanís award, left, and Laura Alice”, left, and Steve Carell pose in the press room. pose in the press room with the ensemble performance award. Dern pose in the press room..