IN THE SPOTLIGHT

‘Never Rarely’ tops Spirit Awards; ‘Da 5 Bloods’ leads NBRS

NEW YORK » The teen abortion drama “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” landed a leading seven nominations, Chadwick Boseman was posthumously nominated, and women dominated the best director category in the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations announced Tuesday.

The 36th annual Spirit Awards, like most awards shows during the pandemic, are adjusting to the difficult circumstances. Tuesday’s nominees were announced virtually, with taped messages from Olivia Wilde, Laverne Cox and Barry Jenkins, who was joined by his dog, Chauncey Wang-jenkins. The awards, usually held in a massive tent on the Santa Monica, Calif., beach the day before the Oscars, have been postponed to a prime-time broadcast on IFC on April 22, three days before the Academy Awards.

“2020 was obviously hell on earth but one glorious lifeline these past few months has been the ability to watch so many great films and shows,” said Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent, in the presentation streamed on Youtube.

Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” a Pennsylvania’s teen’s odyssey in getting an abortion, racked up nominations for best feature film, best director and best female lead for Sidney Flanigan.

It was followed closely by Lee Isaac Chung’s Korean immigrant family drama “Minari,” with six nominations including best feature film, best director, best male lead for Steven Yeun and supporting nods for Yeri Han and Yuh-jung Youn. Chloe Zhoe’s “Nomadland,” starring Frances Mcdormand, scored five nods, including best feature, best director and best female lead for Mcdormand.

The other nominees for best feature were Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow” (also up for best director and best supporting male for Orion Lee) and George C. Wolfe’s August Wilson adaptation “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Viola Davis and Boseman, the two stars of “Ma Rainey,” were also nominated, as was Glynn Turman.

Also on Tuesday, the National Board of Review gave a boost to Spike Lee’s Vietnam War drama “Da 5 Bloods,” naming it best film along with awards for directing and best ensemble.

Other picks by the long-running organization of film enthusiasts, which normally holds a flashy gala for winners in New York, also included “Soul” for best animated film, “Time” for best documentary and acting awards for Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”) and Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”).

COURTESY OF FOCUS FEATURES Sidney Flanigan in a scene from “Never Rarely Sometimes Always.” The film was nominated for seven Independent Film Spirit Awards including best feature.