Joel and Ethan Coen copped the first and probably the most important guild award of the season early today, taking the bellwether Directors Guild of America feature directing trophy for “No Country for Old Men.” The DGA has matched the Best Director Oscar 53 times during its 59-year existence; the most rececent exception occured in 2002, when the DGA went with Rob Marshall for “Chicago,” while the academy opted for Roman Polanski for “The Pianist.” The Coens are the first duo to win the DGA award since “West Side Story” in 1961; Joel Coen was previously nominated solo for “Fargo” in ’96. Also last night in Los Angeles, the American Society of Cinematographers awarded Robert Elswit for shooting “There Will Be Blood.” Back at the DGA, the Coens beat out fellow Oscar nominees Paul Thomas Anderson, Tony Gilroy and Julian Schnabel, as well as Sean Penn, whose place at the Oscars was taken by Jason Reitman. The Oscars, if they are held at all, will come into greater focus after tonight’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, which will be telecast with the blessings of the Writers Guild of America.