The Power of the Dog – Jane Campion’s sweeping study of family dynamics set against a background of the American West – sweeps top honors from the Houston Film Critics Society in its 15th Annual Awards.
In addition to being named the Best Picture of 2021, the Society honors Campion for Best Director and Screenplay, Benedict Cumberbatch as Best Actor and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Best Supporting Actor. Jonny Greenwood’s original music score shares that award with Hans Zimmer for Dune.
“As a year of uncertainty in movies concludes, one sure thing is how quality and creativity create screen magic at any time,” says Douglas Harris, President of the organization. “No matter how we savor film, creative movies that portray people confronting challenge and change will continue to find an audience that appreciates them.”
Named the year’s Best Actress is Jessica Chastain for recreating Tammy Faye Baker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye and, as Best Supporting Actress, Ann Dowd as a grieving mother in Mass. That film received the Society’s first award for the year’s best ensemble cast, also including Reed Birney, Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton.
Winning the Texas Independent Film Award – for the best film made in Texas – is Sean Baker’s Red Rocket which was filmed in and around Texas City, Kemah, and Galveston. The Society’s Cinematic Achievement Award, given to the person, enterprise, or Texas-based operation that the HFCS feels has contributed the most to film culture in Texas, is conferred upon Well Go USA. Releases in 2021 by this Plano-based company included Escape from Mogadishu and Raging Fire.
“Each year, the Society presents our awards after thoroughly reviewing the year’s films,” continues Harris. “We select our nominees in December before casting final votes early in the new year. As professional journalists who believe in the power of film, we are thrilled with the range and substance of this year’s winners.”
2021 Houston Film Critics Society Awards
Best Picture
The Power of the Dog
Best Director
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Best Actor
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog
Best Actress
Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Best Supporting Actor
Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog
Best Supporting Actress
Ann Dowd, Mass
Best Screenplay
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Best Cinematography
Greig Fraser, Dune
Best Animated Feature
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Best Original Score
(tie) Hans Zimmer, Dune
Jonny Greenwood, The Power of the Dog
Best Original Song
Wherever I Fall – Part I, Cyrano
(Music by Bryce Dessner and Aaron Dessner;
Lyrics by Matt Berninger and Carin Besser)
Best Foreign Language Film
Drive My Car
Best Documentary Feature
Summer of Soul
Best Visual Effects
Dune
(Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles,
Brian Connor, and Gerd Nefzer)
Best Stunt Coordination Team
No Time to Die
(Matthew Sampson, stunt department manager;
Olivier Schneider, supervising stunt coordinator;
Leah Breckman, stunt coordinator;
Jamie Edgell, assistant stunt coordinator;
Yves Girard, stunt coordinator, 2nd unit;
Boris Martinez, co-stunt coordinator, 2nd unit;
Gabriele Ragusa, assistant stunt coordinator, Italy;
Franco Maria Salamon, stunt coordinator, Italy;
Patrick Vo, flight choreographer & coordinator;
stunt performers)
Best Ensemble Cast
Mass
(Reed Birney, Ann Dowd,
Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton;
Breeda Wool, Michelle N. Carter,
Campbell Spoor, Kagen Albright,
Michael White)
Texas Independent Film Award
Red Rocket
Cinematic Achievement Award
Well Go USA
About the Houston Film Critics Society
The 40 members of the Houston Film Critics Society are working film journalists on television, radio, online and in traditional print. Together, they reach millions of people each week across the United States with their critiques and commentaries on film. The organization’s mission is to promote the advancement and appreciation of film in the Houston community and beyond. For additional information and a list of members, visit www.HoustonFilmCritics.com
