Malibu’s Patricia Arquette won rave reviews for her role in the recent film “Boyhood.” She swept the awards season with an assortment of trophies for best supporting actress, including Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critic’s Choice, Independent Spirit and SAG, and the honors keep on coming.
Now, she’s making a splash overseas with a Best Actress of the Year Award at the 61st Taormina FilmFest in Sicily.
The award was presented during a star-studded bash, with Richard Gere, Rosario Dawson and Susan Sarandon all there to show their support.
Festivities took place at the historic Teatro Antico. Dating back to the seventh-century BC, the spectacular venue in southern Italy was one of the ancient world’s best-known theatres.
Patricia has had a colorful career with roles in everything from “A Nightmare on Elm Street” to the supernatural drama series “Medium.” Her portrayal of medium Allison DuBois garnered an Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in 2005.
After her huge success in the coming-of-age film “Boyhood,” Patricia has turned her attention to the small screen. She plays Special Agent Avery Ryan in the CSI spinoff, “CSI: Cyber.” It’s proof positive that this talented local can play any variety of roles and take on any new challenge. You go, girl!
THE FEMININE TOUCH
It was a lively evening and celebration of women in film at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza as stars and their high-profile pals got together for the Crystal and Lucy Awards. The theme of the event was “Action” and festivities included a VIP cocktail reception, silent auction, gourmet feast and, of course, plenty of praise.
Actress Nicole Kidman picked up this year’s Crystal Award for Excellence in Film, while “Transparent” creator Jill Soloway got the prize for Excellence in Television.
In 2002, Nicole was honored with her first Oscar nomination for her performance in “Moulin Rouge!”
She also won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award and a Berlin Silver Bear for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in Stephen Daldry’s “The Hours.”
What’s more, this hardworking actress and mom shows no sign of slowing down.
Upcoming films include “Strangerland,” “The Family Fang” and “Genius.” She is currently in production on “The Secret in Their Eyes.” Also in the works, she will begin shooting The Weinstein Company’s “Lion.”
Honoree Jill Soloway is the creator of Amazon Studios’ Golden Globe-winning “Transparent” — a dark, deep, sometimes silly family series about boundaries, love and secrets.
Ava DuVernay picked up the Director’s Award for her work in “Selma,” which chronicles the historic 1965 voting rights campaign led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kate Mara took home the “Face of the Future” Award.
All in all, there were high marks for all the winners and their community of female friends.
President of Women in Film Cathy Schulman put it this way: “We are proud to celebrate an extraordinary line-up of honorees this year. Each one of these women has made extraordinary contributions to the art, and as a group they have forged sustainable careers that are emblematic of the positive and long overdue change that is taking root for women in Hollywood.”
Chalk up another win for these hard working and dedicated pros!