During awards season, you wonder where people, like legendary local director Steven Spielberg, get the energy to hit what seems like every red carpet around. Spielberg, who brought in plenty of accolades, nominations and wins for his film “Lincoln,” seemed to be everywhere, including the annual “Oscar Wilde Awards” in Santa Monica.
The famed moviemaker and his wife, Kate Capshaw, joined Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Cameron Crowe and Marc Forster at J.J. Abrams’ production company to celebrate Irish contributions in the film industry.
Actor Colin Farrell, Lionsgate vice chair Michael Burns and Academy Award-winning makeup artist Michele Burke were honored at the splashy event.
Abrams, who was recently tapped to direct “Star Wars,” introduced honoree Michael Burns. Burns quoted Yeats and Joyce and regaled guests with funny family tales. He noted that “when, as happens to all of us from time to time, we are disappointed that something we’ve done wasn’t properly recognized, remember this: ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Goodbye Mr. Chips,’ ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ ‘The Graduate,’ ‘Mash,’ ‘A Clockwork Orange,’ ‘All the President’s Men,’ ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Apocalypse Now,’ ‘Raging Bull’ and ‘Citizen Kane’ all have two things in common, they inspired millions and none of those fantastic films won the Academy Award for Best Picture.”
While introducing honoree Colin Farrell, director Jim Sheridan said, “In Ireland we admire Daniel Day-Lewis, we respect Liam Neeson but we love Colin.” Farrell was both poetic and eloquent in his acceptance speech. Quoting Oscar Wilde, he said, “Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.”
Trina Vargo, president of US-Ireland, spoke highly of the night’s awardees. “These wonderful honorees demonstrate the breadth and depth of Irish talent in the modern film industry. Colin Farrell is a remarkable acting talent with a poetic soul,” Vargo said. “Michele Burke’s face may not be seen on screen but her work is constantly visible in the faces of the characters she helps bring to life, and Michael Burns represents the rare combination of business skill, quiet confidence and creative insight.”
Of course, the evening included a wee bit of Irish whiskey, great grub and a jig or two. It ended on a high note, with entertainment from Julie Feeney, Declan O’Rourke and the energetic young Heathers.
What would Jesus do?
Find out by watching Derry, Ireland’s own Roma Downey and husband Mark Burnett’s epic television show “The Bible.” The longtime Malibu couple has put all the finishing touches on their mammoth project, which is airing on the History Channel. The grand production brings some of the greatest stories ever told to life.
For details on how this breathtaking extravaganza was put together, check out Malibu Times Magazine, on newsstands now.