Iglesias Named Film Composer of the Year at World Soundtrack Awards

Alberto Iglesias is still reaping the rewards for his composing work on three of last year’s highly acclaimed films.

The 57-year-old Spanish composer was named film composer of the year at the World Soundtrack Awards.

Alberto Iglesias

Iglesias, who received an invitation this summer to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was heralded for his work on the soundtracks for Le Moine (The Monk), The Skin I Live In and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy.

In addition, the academy also awarded Iglesias with the award for best original film score of the year for Tinker, Tailor.

Iglesias defeated fellow Latino nominee Cliff Martinez, who served as the composer on the films Contagion and Drive, in both categories.

Iglesias previously received the Hollywood Film Composer Award at the 15th annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards for his work on Pedro Almodóvar’s haunting The Skin I Live In and Tomas Alfredson’s Cold War thriller Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy.

The World Soundtrack Awards took place on Sunday, October 21, as the closing event of the 39th Ghent Film Festival.

 

Martinez Nominated for Two World Soundtrack Awards

The Oscars may have marked the end of 2011-2012 awards season… But Cliff Martinez is still reaping critical acclaim for his work.

The 58-year-old Spanish-American composer—a veteran drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers—has been nominated for two 2012 World Soundtrack Awards.

Cliff Martinez

The World Soundtrack Academy hands out awards in three categories: Film composer of the year; best original score of the year and best original song written directly for a film.

Martinez, who was nominated for a Satellite Award last December, has received nods in two of those categories. He’s up for film composer of the year his work on Contagion and Drive, as well as best original film score of the year for his critically acclaimed music for Drive.

But Martinez isn’t the only Latino nominee…

Like Martinez, Alberto Iglesias has been nominated in two categories.

The 57-year-old Spanish composer, who was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences earlier this summer, has been nominated in the film composer of the year category for his work on Le Moine, Pedro Almodovar’s The Skin I Live In and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Last year’s Hollywood Film Composer Award winner will also face-off against Martinez in the best original film score of the year category for his Oscar-nominated score from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Meanwhile, songs performed by Madonna, Mary J. Blige and Sinead O’Connor are in contention for best original song written directly for a film.

Winners will be announced at the World Soundtrack Awards and concert on October 20, the closing night of the Ghent International Film Festival.

Here’s a look at this year’s nominees:

Film Composer of the Year
Alexandre Desplat (A Better Life, Carnage, De Rouille Et d’Os (Rust & Bone), Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Moonrise Kingdom, The Ides Of March)
Alberto Iglesias (Le Moine (The Monk), La Piel Que Habito (The Skin I Live In), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
Cliff Martinez (Contagion, Drive)
Howard Shore (A Dangerous Method, Cosmopolis, Hugo)
John Williams (The Adventures of Tintin, War Horse)

Best Original Film Score of the Year
Drive by Cliff Martinez
Hugo by Howard Shore
The Adventures Of Tintin by John Williams
The Ides Of March by Alexandre Desplat
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by Alberto Iglesias

Best Original Song written directly for a Film
“Lay Your Head Down” from Albert Nobbs (music by Brian Byrne, lyrics by Glenn Close, performed by Sinead O’Connor)
“Breath Of Life” from Snow White And The Huntsman (music & lyrics by Florence Welch & Isabella Summers, performed by Florence + the Machine)
“The Living Proof” from The Help (music & lyrics by Thomas Newman, Mary J. Blige, Harvey Mason Jr. & Damon Thomas, performed by Mary J. Blige)
“Man Or Muppet” from The Muppets (music & Lyrics by Bret McKenzie, performed by Jason Segel and Walter
“Masterpiece” from W.E. (music & lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost & Jimmy Harry, performed by Madonna)

Bejo: From Oscar Nominee to Academy Member

She received her first Oscar nomination earlier this year for her scene-stealing role in The Artist… And now Bérénice Bejo will be helping select future Oscar nominees and winners.

Berenice Bejo

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended an invitation to the 35-year-old Argentinean actress to join the organization. Bejo—who has appeared in The Artist, OSS 117 and Cairo, Nest of Spies—is one of the 176 artists and executives to receive an invitation for their distinguished contributions to theatrical motion pictures.

But Bejo isn’t the only Hispanic artist to receive an invitation … Here’s a look at the other Latinos to make the list:

Actors
Demián BichirA Better Life, Che
Clifton Collins, Jr.Star Trek, Traffic
Diego LunaMilk, Y Tu Mamá También

Directors
Rodrigo GarciaAlbert Nobbs, Mother and Child

Music
Alberto IglesiasTinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Constant Gardener

Short Films and Feature Animation
Jonas Rivera
Up, Cars

”These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “I’m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member.”

Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2012 to the Academy’s roster of members.

New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception in September.

Bichir Receives First-Ever Oscar Nomination…

Demián Bichir is following in the footsteps of legendary actor Anthony Quinn

The 48-year-old former telenovela star has become only the second Mexican actor to receive a lead actor Academy Award nomination; nearly 50 years after Quinn won an Oscar for his role in Zorba the Greek.

Demian Bichir

Bichir received the nod for his starring role in A Better Life where he played Carlos Galindo, an illegal immigrant gardener living in East Los Angeles. Struggling to remain employed but undetected by immigration authorities, Galindo attempts to provide a better life for his American-born son.

“I’m overwhelmed for having my name among those incredible actors,” Bichir tells Us Weekly in a statement. “This could have never happened if Chris Weitz had not been the head of this film. He is my brother and I thank him deeply.”

Bichir’s performance—which led to a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination and Independent Spirit Awards nod, has simmered on Hollywood’s back burner since awards season began.

Demian Bichir A Better Life Spirit Award Nomination

“You know, when you encounter a character like this and a project like this, the first reaction is how lucky I am,” said Bichir in a recent interview with USA Today. “Because this is my Hamlet. This is my King Lear… It’s a bigger-than-life character that any actor would fight for it, would die to do it.”

Bichir will face-off against George Clooney (The Descendants), Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and
Brad Pitt (Moneyball).

Berenice Bejo The Artist

Meanwhile, Bérénice Bejo is also a first-time Oscar nominee. The 35-year-old Argentine star—who was the best-dressed Latina at this year’s Golden Globes—received a Best Supporting Actress nod for her star-making role in The Artist.

Bejo is up against Jessica Chastain (The Help), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs) and
 Octavia Spencer (The Help). 

Here’s a look at the other Latinos nominated for an Academy Award this year:

Music (Original Score):
Alberto Iglesias,
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 

Music (Original Song):
Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown & Siedah Garrett, “Real in Rio” from Rio

Martin Scorsese’s Hugo was this year’s most nominated film with 11 nods, followed by Michel HazanaviciusThe Artist, with 10.

The 84th Academy Awards will be televised on ABC on Sunday, Feb. 26.

 

Bejo Receives BAFTA Award Nomination

Bérénice Bejo’s star turn in Michel Hazanavicius’ critically acclaimed silent film The Artist continues to receive rave reviews for her performance…

The 35-year-old Argentine star of the French black-and-white film—an homage to the “pre-talkie” era set in 1920s and 1930s Hollywood—received a BAFTA award nomination for best actress for playing the effervescently charming and irresistibly beautiful Peppy Miller in The Artist.

Berenice Bejo The Artist

Bejo—who illuminated the red carpet at Sunday’s Golden Globes in an Emilio Pucci sapphire gown—is up against Michelle Williams for her turn in My Week With Marilyn, Viola Davis for The Help, Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady and Tilda Swinton for We Need To Talk About Kevin.

In all, The Artist leads the field with nominations in 12 categories for this year’s British Academy Film Awards, presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, including best film.

Meanwhile, 55-year-old Spanish composer Alberto Iglesias has received a BAFTA award nomination for original music for his work on the spy thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

 

Iglesias, who earned a London Film Critics’ Circle nod for his work on Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In, will face off against The Artist’s Ludovic Bource, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Hugo’s Howard Shore and War Horse’s John Williams.

The British Academy Film Awards take place on Sunday February 12 at the Royal Opera House in London.

The London Film Critics’ Circle’s Latino Nominees…

The London Film Critics’ Circle has showered praise on several Hispanics this awards season.

The Critics’ Circle announced its nominees this Tuesday, with the Cold War drama Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and the heist-gone-wrong film Drive leading the pack with six nominations each.

Film Reel

Even though no Hispanics were nominated in the acting and directing categories, two films directed by Latinos were nominated in the Foreign-Language Film of the Year category.

Spanish-director Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In, which stars Antonio Banderas, will face off against the late Chilean filmmaker Raúl Ruiz’s Mistérios de Lisboa (Mysteries of Lisbon), the winner for best foreign film at this year’s Satellite Awards.

Meanwhile, three Latinos have been nominated for The Sky 3D Award, which recognizes technical achievements in film.

Manuel Alberto Claro was nominated for his exceptional cinematography in Melancholia, about two weeks after receiving the Carlo Di Palma European Cinematographer Award at the European Film Awards.

Alberto Iglesiaswho received the Hollywood Film Composer Award this year for his body of work—received a nod for his work on the original score for The Skin I Live In.

Cliff Martinez was cited for his work on the original score for Drive. He’s also received a Satellite Award nomination and a Critics’ Choice nod for his work on Drive.

The London Film Critics’ Circle winners will be announced on January 19, 2012.

Iglesias Receives Hollywood Film Composer Award…

Two-time Oscar nominee Alberto Iglesias will receive the Hollywood Film Composer Award at the 15th annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards, presented by Starz Entertainment.

The 55-year-old Spanish composer will collect his award at tonight’s Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony in Beverly Hills for his stellar work on Tomas Alfredson’s Cold War thriller “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Pedro Almodóvar’s haunting “The Skin I Live In.” All four individuals will collect their statuettes at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony, taking place at the Beverly Hilton on October 24.

Alberto Iglesias

Considered Spain’s most acclaimed composer, Iglesias has received Best Original Score Academy Award nominations for his work on 2005’s “The Constant Gardener and “The Kite Runner.” And he could receive another nomination (or two) for his work on “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” and/or The Skin I Live In.”

Iglesias, who is classically trained in piano, guitar and composition, has actually worked on eight films with Almodóvar, including “Volver” and “Broken Embraces,” gaining critical acclaim for his intriguing and refined melodic sensibilities on Almodóvar’s films like “Bad Education” and “Talk to Her.” His musical contribution have created a psychologically piercing sophistication in those films that fit Almodóvar’s glossy imagery perfectly.

Previous Hollywood Film Composer Award recipients include Thomas Newman, Harry Gregson-Williams, Gustavo Santaolalla, Mark Isham, Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer.