I didn't watch this year's Independent Spirit Awards, aka Soaring Bird Of Truth Statue Jamboree, nor have I ever watched them. But from what I gather through my painstaking research (looking at some photo galleries, google, memories of some article in Interview magazine I read about a year ago) the aim of the show is twofold: 1. to honor indie films (whatever that may mean), and 2. to be the alterna-prom to the Oscars' overblown mega-prom. In other words, the Independent Spirit Awards are the Oscars, but with the style dial turned toward hippie (because what is "indie film" if not a semi-ridiculous posture?) Winners (aka mostly Juno) are here.
With that in mind, here is a quick, photographic rundown of how some of the Independent Spirit Awards attendees brought tha indie:
Javier Bardem wore his finest casual hipster costume. Does the fact that a stylist undoubtedly scuffed those sneakers and untucked that shirt for him make it seem more or less casual?
Kate Beckinsale's look finally answered the question, "What would the girl from The Ring wear to a hippie wedding?" Long deflated ruffles, curtains of hair, and a scowl.
Brad Pitt woke up, threw on the 1970s, and then posed with the ultimate indie accessory: Don Cheadle.
What is more indie than vintage? Unfortunately, "vintage" for Ellen Page means "Avril Lavigne."
The indiest of indie actresses, Parker Posey was there wearing a raincoat dress, in case someone decided to spray her with corporations.
But the indiest look of all was Zach Braff's three-day-stubble/shrunken suit/shirt unbuttoned to maximize his sensitivity/"Give me that fucking champagne, I'm an indie director, dammit!" look. This is the face of independent film. It hasn't slept in a while.