The London Film Critics’ Circle’s Latino Nominees…

The London Film Critics’ Circle has showered praise on several Hispanics this awards season.

The Critics’ Circle announced its nominees this Tuesday, with the Cold War drama Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and the heist-gone-wrong film Drive leading the pack with six nominations each.

Film Reel

Even though no Hispanics were nominated in the acting and directing categories, two films directed by Latinos were nominated in the Foreign-Language Film of the Year category.

Spanish-director Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In, which stars Antonio Banderas, will face off against the late Chilean filmmaker Raúl Ruiz’s Mistérios de Lisboa (Mysteries of Lisbon), the winner for best foreign film at this year’s Satellite Awards.

Meanwhile, three Latinos have been nominated for The Sky 3D Award, which recognizes technical achievements in film.

Manuel Alberto Claro was nominated for his exceptional cinematography in Melancholia, about two weeks after receiving the Carlo Di Palma European Cinematographer Award at the European Film Awards.

Alberto Iglesiaswho received the Hollywood Film Composer Award this year for his body of work—received a nod for his work on the original score for The Skin I Live In.

Cliff Martinez was cited for his work on the original score for Drive. He’s also received a Satellite Award nomination and a Critics’ Choice nod for his work on Drive.

The London Film Critics’ Circle winners will be announced on January 19, 2012.

Ruiz Receives Satellite Award Posthumously…

He may be gone, but Raúl Ruiz is not forgotten, as the acclaimed director’s last completed project picks up another award.

The prolific and enigmatic Chilean filmmaker’s Mistérios de Lisboa (Mysteries of Lisbon) received the best foreign film award at the International Press Academy‘s 16th annual Satellite Awards on Sunday.

Chilean Filmmaker Raul Ruiz

Ruiz’s Portuguese-language melodrama is a masterful adaptation of the 19th-century novel by Camilo Castelo Branco.

It follows a jealous countess, a wealthy businessman and a young orphaned boy across Portugal, France, Italy and Brazil where they connect with a variety of mysterious individuals.

Mistérios de Lisboa, which Ruiz had called one of his most theoretical films, had already picked up prizes at the São Paulo International Film Festival, San Sebastián
International Film Festival
, Prix Louis Delluc and at the Portuguese Golden Globes.

Ruiz, who passed away at the age of 70 this past August, was a highly regarded director of more than 100 films in several languages.