As we’ve come to expect in Santa Barbara, the stars will be shining bright in late January and early February, as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival recently began announcing its slate for next year’s edition. Already on tap is Viola Davis, being honored on January 27 as the Outstanding Performer of the Year for her role in The Help, and just announced this week as being honored with the Cinema Vanguard Award on February 4 is the duo — Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo — who form the soul of The Artist, the ode to silent film that may just win an Oscar. Said fest director Roger Durling, “In an age of sight and sound spectacle, there is great risk in silent film. Jean and Bérénice’s acting is an amazing pas de deux both physically and emotionally, recalling classic Hollywood pairings like Hepburn and Tracy, and of course indelibly Ginger and Fred.”
Getting Ready for SBIFF 2012
Viola Davis, Cast of The Artist Already Lined up for Next Year’s Film Fest