With 2015 right around the corner, so is the 30th anniversary of the Film Independent Spirit Awards. (February 21: mark your calendars!) Now that this year’s nominees have been announced, we’ve decided to celebrate the past 30 years of cinematic greatness by showcasing winners from decades past, including where each can be watched, so you can discover—or rediscover—indie classics. Because we love movies so much, we’re kicking off the six-part series with five of our favorite Spirit Award winning films that explore sex, love and romance. Sex, Lies & Videotape (1990) Best Feature, Best Director, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Female Director: Steven Soderbergh Stars: Andie MacDowell, Laura San Giacomo, James Spader, Peter Gallagher Where You Can Watch It: DVD The debut feature from Steven Soderbergh, who has since become an eminent voice in indie filmmaking, stars a riveting Andie MacDowell (Best Female Lead) as a sexually repressed woman whose husband is having an affair with her sister, played by (Best Supporting Female) Laura San Giacomo. The complexities of love, sex, marriage and fidelity are explored both through Soderbergh’s screenplay and James Spader’s character, who films intimate interviews with women. Made on a modest budget, Soderbergh’s first feature introduces his unique point of view and filmmaking aesthetic, relying on powerful performances that prove dialogue can be compelling action. Then again, the sex scenes are pretty action-packed as well. Chris Lombardi / Film Independent Blogger
