African American Critics Name 'The Tree of Life' Best Film of 2011

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/12/african-american-critics-tree-of-life-best-film-2011.html

"The Tree of Life," Terrence Malick's 1950s-set drama that ruminates on questions of family, faith and the universe, was named best picture of the year Monday by the African-American Film Critics Assn. The group also awarded two prizes to the stars of the civil-rights period piece "The Help," declaring Viola Davis best actress and Octavia Spencer best supporting actress.

Here's a full rundown of the group's awards.

Best picture: "The Tree of Life." The other films rounding out the top 10, following in order of distinction, are: "Drive," "Pariah," "Rampart," "Shame," "Moneyball," "The Descendants," "A Better Life," "My Week With Marilyn" and "The Help."

Best director: Steve McQueen, "Shame."

Lead actor: Woody Harrelson, "Rampart."

Lead actress: Viola Davis, "The Help."

Best supporting actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help."

Best supporting actor: Albert Brooks, "Drive."

Breakout performance: Adepero Oduye, “Pariah."

Best Documentary: "The Black Power Mixtape."

Best screenplay: Ava DuVernay, “I Will Follow."

Best foreign film: Alrick Brown, “Kinyarwanda."

Best song: Jason Reeves & Lenka Kripac, writers, “The Show” from “Moneyball."

Best independent film: "Pariah."

Special Achievement: George Lucas, (Cinema Vanguard); Richard Roundtree, (AAFCA Legacy); Hattie Winston (AAFCA Horizon) and Institution, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Founded in 2003, the AAFCA tries to bring attention to films that appeal to black audiences, were created by or star African Americans or center on the black experience. Last year, the group named "The Social Network" best picture and gave its top acting honors to Halle Berry for "Frankie & Alice" and Mark Wahlberg for "The Fighter." None went on to win awards in those categories at the Oscars.

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