It appears that Ryan Gosling is Ken-ough for the 39th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The two-time Oscar nominee has been tapped to receive the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film, coming off the heels of his universally-praised comic turn in Greta Gerwig’s billion-dollar blockbuster “Barbie.”
“Ryan Gosling has long been both a dramatic and comedic force in front of the camera. This year, thanks to his universally hailed, triumphant performance as Ken in ‘Barbie’ — a film that truly demanded the attention of critics and moviegoers around the world — he has become a true cinematic powerhouse,” SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling said.