They’re Reveling in the Spirit of Independents

The Scene: The party the Independent Feature Project/West threw Monday night in Studio City to announce the nominations for the Independent Spirit awards honoring the best independent productions of 1991. “These are provocative, thinking films,” said president Cathy Main, “that push the envelope in terms of being different.” The awards will be given March 28, the Saturday before the Academy Awards.

The Locale: The party, held on an MTM Studio sound stage, was called “Rebels With a Cause.” It featured a biker motif, complete with Harley-Davidsons driven through the crowd and painted-on tattoos. It was “like a bad prom theme,” commented one guest.

Who Was There: In keeping with the filmmakers’ just visiting-the-edge-of Hollywood attitude, the 700-strong crowd was celebrity-lite; among the guests were Stephen Stills, Ray Sharkey, Amanda Donohoe, Nancy Allen, Rosie Perez, Gus Van Sant and Haskell Wexler.

Dress Mode: It seems film school diplomas arrive wrapped in black leather jackets and faded blue jeans.

Quoted: “I feel independent film makers need support if for no other reason than that I can get work,” said actress Helen Hunt.

Best Segue: After one biker’s tirade against the new helmet law, which focused heavily on man’s inalienable right to bash his own head in and on the tyranny of the Sacramento Legislature, Main took the mike to say: “And that just about says it all about independents.”

Money Matters: There was underwriting from Propaganda Films and MTM. Tickets were $40. The hope was to break even--definitely in the spirit of independent films.

Key Phrase: Credit Leon Hayes. This is the American pronunciation of Credit Lyonnais, the French bank that financed many small films before unwisely blowing its bankroll on Giancarlo Parretti’s multimillion dollar purchase of MGM. Typical use would be: “I was gonna go to Credit Leon Hayes, but now I dunno.”

Pastimes: Getting a temporary tattoo painted on by Temptu. This morning, at development meetings all over Hollywood, women with red roses enveloping black swords on their forearms are debating whether they should keep their jackets on.