LOS ANGELES — Retired performer Zelda Morrison has been nominated for a prestigious Independent Spirit award for “Best Supporting Actress” for her role in the mainstream drama “Pleasure.”
The nominations were announced today. The accolade, awarded by Film Independent, the leading indie film nonprofit, is considered the most important awards season acknowledgement in the U.S. for independent film.
Morrison was originally listed by her performer name as the character “Joy” on cast lists, but reverted to her legal name, Revika Anne Reustle, after she retired from the industry in 2020. She received her nomination, under that name, for her outstanding turn as the protagonist’s housemate and industry friend.
“Pleasure” director Ninja Thyberg — a Swedish filmmaker who spent several years in Los Angeles turning a short about an immigrant aspiring starlet from Sweden into her first feature — also received a nomination.
Three other 2021 films about sex workers, “Red Rocket,” “Shiva Baby” and “Zola,” also received nominations.
“Red Rocket,” a picaresque tale by acclaimed indie director Sean Baker about a trainwreck male porn star, received two acting noms for lead actor Simon Rex and supporting actress Suzanna Son.
“Shiva Baby,” a comedy about sugaring, received a nom for “Best First Feature.”
“Zola,” the film adaptation of a viral Twitter yarn about strippers and trafficked sex workers in the South, received seven nominations, the most of any film at the awards.
The Independent Spirit Awards ceremony will take place March 6, 2022.
Main Image: Sofia Kappel (l.) and Revika Anne Reustle (r.) in “Pleasure.”