Santa Barbara, CA – night saw a gathering of Hollywood royalty as Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio del Toro were jointly honored with the Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The award celebrated the trio’s collaborative work in Paul Thomas Anderson’s critically acclaimed film, “One Battle After Another,” and recognized their individual contributions to cinema.
The ceremony, held at the Arlington Theatre, was moderated by renowned film critic Pete Hammond, for whom the award is named. Hammond opened the evening with high praise for the actors and their latest project, drawing a parallel to the iconic ensemble cast of “The Godfather,” stating that “One Battle After Another” possesses a similar staying power.
The evening unfolded as a retrospective of each actor’s career, with Hammond presenting curated clips from their extensive filmographies. For DiCaprio, the selection included scenes from “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “The Revenant,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” offering a glimpse into the range and evolution of his performances. DiCaprio himself spoke candidly about his initial fascination with the story that would become “The Wolf of Wall Street,” revealing that it stemmed from observing the fallout of the Occupy Wall Street movement and the emerging narratives of greed and excess in the late 2000s. He described a deliberate intention to explore these themes through the character of Jordan Belfort, ultimately pitching the idea to director Martin Scorsese after months of immersing himself in Belfort’s world.
“That (movie) was misunderstood by certain people as a glorification of greed or that culture,” DiCaprio explained. “But it was meant to make a comment on something innate in us as human.”
Penn’s segment featured clips from films like “Hurly Burly,” “All the King’s Men,” and “Milk,” highlighting his versatility and commitment to challenging roles. A particularly enthusiastic response from the audience greeted footage from his breakout role as Jeff Spicoli in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Hammond specifically lauded Penn’s portrayal of Harvey Milk, the pioneering gay rights activist and politician, emphasizing the depth and sensitivity he brought to the role. Penn shared his meticulous preparation for the part, detailing how he spent months absorbing Milk’s speeches, interviews, and documentary footage, effectively creating an intimate connection with a man he would never meet. “I grew an incredible affection for this guy that I…would never get to meet,” Penn said. “There was something just moving about him.”
Del Toro’s career was similarly honored, with clips from “Traffic,” “The Pledge,” and “21 Grams” showcasing his distinctive presence and ability to convey complex emotions. A nod was also given to his early work, including his memorable role as Duke the Dog-Faced Boy in “Big Top Pee Wee.” Del Toro recounted the challenges he faced early in his career, specifically a pushback against his given name. He explained that industry professionals attempted to rebrand him as “Benny Del,” a suggestion he resisted. He also spoke about his attraction to the writing in Wes Anderson’s films, praising the quality and nuance that made the material so compelling.
The evening culminated with Paul Thomas Anderson taking the stage to present the awards. Anderson spoke of his long-held admiration for each actor, revealing that he had been envisioning a collaboration with all three for years. He emphasized his respect for their talent, their dedication to the craft, and their enduring presence in a changing industry.
“If you like your movie stars old-fashioned, with talent, some mystery, some class, a little bit of unpredictable danger, then here are three of a dying breed,” Anderson declared. “So, cherish them while they’re still here.”
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival continues through , with a lineup of screenings, panels, and award ceremonies celebrating the world of cinema. Upcoming highlights include an Outstanding Directors Award presentation honoring Ryan Coogler, Josh Safdie, Joachim Trier, and Chloe Zhao on night.
