Award-winning actor, filmmaker, and author Ethan Hawke was honored on Feb. 6 with the American Riviera Award at the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). Hawke received the award for his outstanding lead performance of Lorenz Hart in his newest film, “Blue Moon”. Walking the red carpet alongside Hawke was actor and Santa Barbara local, Jeff Bridges, actress Miranda Richardson, SBIFF director Roger Durling, among many other talented actors, directors, and filmmakers. “Blue Moon” follows Lorenz Hart, a struggling musician in his last months in 1943, facing issues of alcoholism, depression, and a dwindling career. Themes of jealousy and envy consume Hart, leading him to a lonely end.
“What’s happening to Lorenz Hart is he is being rendered irrelevant after incredible success, and it’s heartbreaking and devastating,” said Hawke. “As you get older, it is a great fear that you might have already passed your high watermark… It’s like the tide going out. It’s very scary, and it was fun to try to play that.”
After the Q&A came to a close, Bridges presented Hawke with the award, praising his style and approach to filmmaking. Hawke ended the night celebrating SBIFF’s ability to highlight the “dreams for each other” films created.
