John Malkovich honored at the Santa Barbara Festival

John Malkovich will be honored with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 42nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which runs from 3-13 February. The award recognizes his role in Wild Horse Nine, the new film by Martin McDonagh.

The film, already screened at Telluride, Toronto and Venice, earned Malkovich the Best Actor prize at Venice. He shares the marquee with Sam Rockwell, playing two CIA agents traveling from Santiago to Easter Island on the eve of the 1973 Chilean coup. The theatrical release is slated for 6 November.

Roger Durling, executive director of the festival, said the legendary actor delivers "his best performance to date, blending pathos, volatility, vulnerability and tenderness." The festival is delighted to reward him.