'Anna Karenina,' 'Life of Pi' and 'Skyfall' win at the 17th annual Art Directors Guild Awards

'Anna' would appear to still be the Oscar favorite -- or is it?

By Kristopher TapleySunday, Feb 3, 2013 1:13 AM

"Life of Pi," winner for fantasy film

Credit: 20th Century Fox

Are you a fan of In Contention?

Sign up to get the latest updates instantly.

The 17th annual Art Directors Guild awards were also held this evening. On the film side, as always, awards were given in three categories: period, fantasy and contemporary. Check out the nominees here.

On the period side of things, Sarah Greenwood triumphed for "Anna Karenina." She and her set decorator Katie Spencer ought to still be seen as the favorite for the Oscar, though it's interesting that David Gropman beat out some stiff competition in the fantasy field for "Life of Pi." Could it be a surprise winner at the Oscars? The two films are nominated there alongside "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," "Les Misérables" and "Lincoln" at the Oscars.

Meanwhile, in the contemporary field, it was "Skyfall" that took home the win. Contemporary films so rarely get an Oscar nod but I thought this one really deserved it. Alas.

Once again, the winners of the 17th annual Art Directors Guild Awards below. Keep track of all the madness at The Circuit.

Period Film
"Anna Karenina"

Fantasy Film
"Life of Pi"

Contemporary Film
"Skyfall"

Oscar-statues-outside-the-82nd-academy-awards-at-the-kodak-theater-in-hollywood-ca._article_story_main_primary

Everything: Academy Awards

Latest news, photos, reviews, interviews, videos and more.

Go There

Kristopher Tapley
Editor-at-Large

Kristopher Tapley has covered the film awards landscape for over a decade. He founded In Contention in 2005. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Times of London and Variety. He begs you not to take any of this too seriously.

Related Searches: In Contention, Academy Awards, Anna Karenina, Life of Pi, Skyfall, Art Directors Guild Awards

Xavier

Life of Pi could be the Avatar-esque winner of that category, (mainly for the design on the island). But I've been with Anna Karenina for costumes and Production design as soon as the nominations were announced, so this certainly is encouraging me to stick with my guns.
February 3, 2013 at 4:08AM EST Reply to Comment
Joseph

This is a close one. Visual films Avatar and Hugo won all three visual Oscars - effects, art direction and cinematography. Life of Pi should follow that tradition. But then there's the Anna Karenina two-hander of costume and production design. I think I may predict Life of Pi along with score for 4 Oscars.
February 3, 2013 at 9:28AM EST Reply to Comment
- JLPatt "Avatar" had tons of physical sets. "Hugo" recreated an entire train station, among other things. "Life of Pi" has... water. And an island. Hardly comparable.
  February 3, 2013 at 3:49PM EST
- Guy Lodge By "visual films," do you mean "visual effects-driven films?" I don't see how Anna Karenina isn't "visual."
  
  February 3, 2013 at 4:50PM EST