Before Oscars, Coppola’s Translation wins Indie awards

Director Sofia Coppola, who emerged from her father’s shadow with her movie Lost in Translation, was the toast of the film world on Sat...

Director Sofia Coppola, who emerged from her father’s shadow with her movie Lost in Translation, was the toast of the film world on Saturday as the flick won top prizes at the Independent Spirit Awards. Translation, 32-year-old Coppola’s second film, won all four categories in which it was nominated: best feature, director, screenplay and male lead (Bill Murray).

Both Sofia and Murray will compete for Academy Awards on Sunday, as will the other three main acting winners, South African native Charlize Theron for Monster, Benin-born Djimon Hounsou for In America and Iran’s Shohreh Aghdashloo for House of Sand and Fog.

In Translation, Murray plays a disenchanted actor who comes to Tokyo to shoot some lucrative TV spots for a liquor company. He strikes a deep friendship with a similarly lost woman half his age, played by Scarlett Johansson. Sophia will compete for three Oscars: director; best picture, with producer Ross Katz; and original screenplay.

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The winners were announced during a leisurely luncheon, a sharp contrast to the chaotic scene at the Oscars.

Irish writer/director Jim Sheridan’s In America, which led the Spirit nominees with nods in six categories, ended up with two prizes, supporting actor for Hounsou’s turn as a dying artist, and cinematography for Declan Quinn.

Aghdashloo took the opportunity to pledge support to the people of Iran. ‘‘My message for my people, especially the young generation, is not to give up. There’s always hope. There’s always a better future, and just hang in there. Fight for human rights in Iran. I am sure we are going to be all winners all day.’’ Double winners included writer/director Patty Jenkins’ Monster, which nabbed prizes for Theron’s lead role as a serial killer and first feature; and writer/director Thomas McCarthy’s The Station Agent for first screenplay and feature made for under $500,000. — (Reuters)