February 13, 2012 in Nation/World

‘The Artist’ is top dog at British film awards

Streep takes actress prize for ‘Iron Lady’ portrayal
Jill Lawless Associated Press
 
Associated Press photo

Actor Jean Dujardin, producer Thomas Langmann and director Michel Hazanavicius show off their awards for the “The Artist.”
(Full-size photo)(All photos)

BAFTA’s best

LONDON – Winners of the 2012 British Academy Film Awards, presented Sunday:

Film – “The Artist”

British Film – “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”

Director – Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”

Actor – Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”

Actress – Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”

Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”

Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer, “The Help”

Original Screenplay – Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”

Adapted Screenplay – Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”

Film Not in the English Language – “The Skin I Live In”

Music – Ludovic Bource, “The Artist”

Cinematography – Guillaume Schiffman, “The Artist”

Editing – “Senna”

Production Design – “Hugo”

Costume Design – “The Artist”

Sound – “Hugo”

Visual Effects – “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2”

Makeup and Hair – “The Iron Lady”

Animated Feature – “Rango”

Short Film – “Pitch Black Heist”

Short Animation – “A Morning Stroll”

LONDON – Silent movie “The Artist” had a night to shout about Sunday, winning seven prizes including best picture at the British Academy Film Awards.

Britain’s equivalent of the Oscars rewarded the French homage to old Hollywood over a homegrown favorite, espionage thriller “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.”

“The Artist,” a black-and-white picture that has charmed audiences around the world since its Cannes debut in May, was named best film, and its rubber-limbed star Jean Dujardin took the male acting prize. Its filmmaker, Michel Hazanavicius, won prizes for directing and his original screenplay.

Hazanavicius thanked presenter Brad Pitt for pronouncing his name correctly – and academy voters for recognizing that his silent film even had a screenplay.

“So many people thought there was no script because there was no dialogue,” he said.

Another homage to early cinema, Martin Scorsese’s Parisian fantasy “Hugo,” took prizes for sound and production design.

The British prizes, known as BAFTAs, are considered a strong indicator of likely success at Hollywood’s Academy Awards, to be held on Feb. 26.

Dujardin, who plays a silent screen icon eclipsed by the talkies, said the appeal of “The Artist” lay in its accessibility.

“It’s a simple story,” he said. “It’s a love story. It’s universal. And there’s a cute dog” – Jack Russell terrier Uggie, who almost steals the film from his two-legged co-stars. “The Artist” also won prizes for cinematography, costume design and for Ludovic Bource’s sprightly musical score.

As predicted, Meryl Streep was named best actress for her depiction of Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female prime minister, in “The Iron Lady.” The film also won a prize for hair and makeup.

The supporting actor prize went to Christopher Plummer, as an academic who makes a new start late in life in “Beginners.” Octavia Spencer was named best supporting actress for her turn as a fiery maid in “The Help.”

© Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Recent stories in Nation/World
No comments on this story so far. Add yours!

    You must be logged in to post comments.
    Please create a profile or log in here.