It’s been one of the most competitive Oscar seasons in recent history, and that competition has also spread to the Best Director category. Five lucky helmers made it through with the Directors Guild today, but left off the list were talented craftsmen like Quentin Tarantino (“Django Unchained”), Paul Thomas Anderson (“The Master”), Wes Anderson (“Moonrise Kingdom”) and Michael Haneke (“Amour”), as well as shepherds of awards season successes such as David O. Russell (“Silver Linings Playbook”), Benh Zeitlin (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”) and Sam Mendes (“Skyfall”). A very good year indeed.
All of this morning’s nominees have released statements reacting to their good fortune today. The work ranges from CIA thrillers to journo-cinema, Presidential epics to bombastic musicals, and a little 3D razzle dazzle thrown in for good measure. Read what they all had to say below.
The 65th annual DGA Awards will be held in Hollywood on February 2, 2013.
Ben Affleck, “Argo”:
“I am extremely proud and humbled to receive my first DGA nomination for ‘Argo.’ On behalf of the entire directing team, I want to thank the Directors Guild for this tremendous honor. I also want to express my appreciation to all of my enormously talented colleagues on both sides of the camera. ‘Argo’ is the result of all our work.”
Kathryn Bigelow, “Zero Dark Thirty”:
“I couldn’t be more humbled to be recognized this way by my peers at the DGA. It’s so gratifying and encouraging to have the support from those who themselves know and experience the challenges as well as the triumphs of making films. I am so grateful to the members of the DGA and for the kind words and support from Taylor Hackford when I received the call.”
Tom Hooper, “Les Misérables”:
“I’m honored to be nominated by the Directors Guild and truly humbled to be in the company of Steven, Kathryn, Ang and Ben. It has been a truly extraordinary year for cinema, and it is encouraging that films like theirs have been met not only with acclaim but popular success. It was the dream of so many to bring ‘Les Misérables’ to the screen, and I am but one of those who shared in that. I am deeply appreciative, and share this recognition with my wonderful directorial team and the staggeringly talented group of filmmakers, craftspeople and actors who all gave their hearts and souls to this film.”
Ang Lee, “Life of Pi”:
“I am proud and humbled to be receiving this nomination from my guild. It means so much to be recognized by my peers and I am truly grateful for this honor. ‘Life of Pi’ was a true collaboration that involved gifted artists both in front of and behind the camera. I share this nomination with every person that I had the good fortune to work with on this film.”
Steven Spielberg, “Lincoln”:
“The privilege of making ‘Lincoln,’ combined with this absolutely tremendous recognition from my peers, is humbling. I thank everyone for including me on this short list of extremely unique and gifted filmmakers.”