The Atlanta Film Critics Circle (of which I am a member) has announced its winners for 2019, and the top prize went to Bong Joon-ho’s scathing satireParasite. AFCC co-founder and Atlanta Journal-Constitution criticFelicia Feaster, callsParasite“a lacerating take on the incredibly topical 21st century issue of income inequality that bubbles up a very nasty vein of dark comedy.” The film also won Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best International Film.
Among the acting winners,Adam Drivertook Best Actor forMarriage Storyin what looks to be an incredibly competitive year in the category. Other acting winners includeRene ZellwegerforJudy,Brad PittforOnce Upon a Time…in Hollywood, and Laura Dern forMarriage Story.
Overall, I’m really happy with our group’s selection this year. While there are a few categories where I would have gone in a different direction (particularlyLupita Nyong’ofor Best Actress forUs), I think this is a solid representation of some of the year’s best films, and I’m glad the studios were able to work with us to get their movies in front our esteemed critics.
Top 10 Films
Best Lead Actor: Adam Driver inMarriage Story
Best Lead Actress: Renee Zellweger inJudy
Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt inOnce Upon a Time…in Hollywood
Best Supporting Actress: Laura Dern inMarriage Story
Best Ensemble:The Irishman
Best Director: Bong Joon-ho forParasite
Best Screenplay: Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin Woo forParasite
Best Documentar:Apollo 11
Best International Film:Parasite(South Korea)
Best Animated Film:Toy Story 4
Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins for1917
Best Original Score: Thomas Newman for1917
Best Breakthrough Performance: Kelvin Harrison Jr. forLuceandWaves
Best First Feature Film: Olivia Wilde forBooksmart
About the AFCC:
Co-founded by longtime Atlanta film critics Felicia Feaster and Michael Clark, the Atlanta Film Critics Circle is an attempt to fill a void in the local film community and in the representation of Atlanta’s media on the national stage.
Composed of a dynamic mix of Atlanta-based critics working in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, the AFCC’s mission is to establish a national presence for a film critics group in Atlanta and to foster a vibrant film culture in Atlanta, already home to an exploding film industry production presence.
Founding members (critics living in and/or currently writing for global, national, regional and/or Atlanta metro area outlets) of AFCC vote in early December for the group’s annual awards.
