36th Film Independent Spirit Awards: “The Forty-Year-Old Version” — Best First Feature

THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION

BEST FIRST FEATURE

Viewing Information

INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS — FILM #6 of 33
FEBRUARY 23, 2021
NETFLIX

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Radha Blank
Producers: Inuka Bacote-Capiga, Jordan Fudge, Rishi Rajani, Jennifer Semler, Lena Waithe

Film Synopsis

Radha, a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. But when she foils what seems like her last shot at success, she’s left with no choice but to reinvent herself as rapper RadhaMUSPrime. The Forty-Year-Old Version follows Radha as she vacillates between the worlds of hip hop and theater on a quest to find her true voice. The deeply personal debut from writer/director Radha Blank is a fresh addition to the NYC slice-of-life canon, shot in lush black-and-white 35mm. Blank’s film is an ode to the unfulfilled, and those whose adversity gives them a one-of-a-kind story to tell.

Looking at Best First Feature

Radha Blank has such a unique voice that it’s hard not to root for her. She writes and directs her first feature, and she also stars lead in it. Having fallen out of favor, Radha depicts a playwright who is currently teaching and wants to make a career switch to rapping. The film deals with breaking age barriers in a really satisfying way. It is written so believably, and Radha is so likable that everything feels authentic.

As far as winning Best First Feature, it may be close. If anything will beat “The Forty-Year-Old Version,” it is Darius Marder’s “Sound Of Metal,” which feels like it has more groundswell. As far as personal preference goes, I would even put “Nine Days” and “Miss Juneteenth” ahead of Radha’s debut. It is still a strong contender, has some award wins this season to back it up, and would not cause me any surprise if it were to win the Independent Spirit Award.

BEST FIRST FEATURE
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1. “The Forty-Year-Old Version”