Latin Nominees for the 2009 Independent Spirit Awards

As we approach the end of the year, the award season begins for the best in film of 2008. One of the first ceremonies that just announced its nominees is the Independent Spirit Awards, the awards show for North America's independent film community. As for Hispanic and Latino nominations, we have four major nominees. On the Spanish side, the talents of Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem were recognized, as both got nominations for their collaborative work in Woody Allen's flick Vicky Cristina Barcelona

These awards will be given out in the red carpet gala on February 21, 2009, the day before the big ones, the Academy Awards, are given out. On this date, we will know who the independent film community will have chosen as the winners in all categories. We should mention the movies that got several award nominations are sure to be the leaders in most award shows. Movies like Frozen River, Rachel Getting Married, Milk, Ballast, The Wrestler, The Visitor and, of course, the already mentioned Vicky Cristina Barcelona. A couple of valid mentions are Synecdoche, New York and the Italian film, Gomorra.

We'll be looking out to see if the Spanish couple is able to conquer the hearts of the independent film community. And even though some of the films are a bit hard to get to see since they are not mainstream Hollywood films, it is clear that the most nominated films are ones that have been buzzing around the North American Critics circle for some time, some of which are leading the race in other important award ceremonies. Films like Milk, The Wrestler, Frozen River and Ballast, all of which won awards at Sundance.

As for the Latin nominations for this year's Independent Spirit Awards, Javier Bardem competes for the Best Actor award for his role as the leading man in Vicky Cristina Barcelona,.

Penelope was nominated for Best Supporting Actress as the neurotic ex-girlfriend in the same film, VCB.

According to the gossip mags, the couple is going through some rocky times in their relationship. Apparently the two are butting heads over their busy filming schedules.

Rumor has it that the two agreed to take a year off in order to enjoy some alone time together, but that Javier didn't keep up his end of the bargain after agreeing to star in Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu's upcoming film, Biutiful. Regardless, they will have to confront the Spirit Awards together… so hopefully they will be one happy couple the night of the ceremony!

The Mexican film Luz Silenciosa, directed by Carlos Reygadas, and Sangre de mi Sangre, another film with Latin talent, are also among the nominees for the 2009 Independent Spirit Awards.