Los Angeles: French silent film The Artist and period film Hugo became the big winners at the star-studded 84th Academy Awards ceremony here as they walked away with five honours each. The Artist was named the best picture and also won the best actor and best director’s trophy for Jean Dujardin and Michel Hazanavicius respectively.
The Artist, a black and white film about a silent movie star who fears his downfall after the arrival of talkies, also won in the best costume and best original score categories. The movie is said to be the second silent film to have ever won an Oscar — the first being 1927 film Wings, which was awarded at the first Academy Awards in 1929.
The Artist beat eight rivals for the top prize, including Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris and The Help. Scorsese’s Hugo won five trophies in technical categories on Sunday night.
Streep, the most nominated actress in the Academy history with 17 nods, looked dazzling as she accepted her third Oscar and her first in the last 30 years for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. Streep, 62, previously won for 1979 film Kramer vs Kramer and 1982’s Sophie’s Choice.
“Oh my God! thank you so much. When they called my name, I had the feeling I could hear half of America going, ‘oh, come on, her again?,” Streep said while accepting the trophy to a standing ovation.
The Artist stars Jean Dujardin plays silent hero George Valentin, who fades when Hollywood makes its transition to talkies from silent movies. “Oh! thank you. I love your country,” said an overwhelmed Dujardin. The 39-year-old actor repeated his trademark dance before exiting the stage.
The 82-year-old Christopher Plummer won his long overdue Oscar in the best supporting actor category for his portrayal of a gay father in The Beginners.
Plummer, 82, became the oldest actor to win the Oscar in a night where first timers rubbed shoulders with veterans.
“You’re only two years older than me, darling. Where have you been all my life? When I first emerged from my mother’s womb I was already rehearsing my Oscar speech,” said an emotional Plummer as he held his trophy at the 84th Oscar awards. “…but it was so long ago…mercifully I forgot it,” he added.
While best actress honours went to Octavia Spencer for her role of sassy house maid in The Help.
Best supporting actress Spencer was out of breath as she thanked director Tate Taylor and her co-stars. “I share this with everybody. Thank you world,” Spencer said.
The Artist, nominated in 10 categories, also won Oscars for best original score and best costume design. Hugo, with 11 nominations, won five trophies in the technical categories including the Visual Effects, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Cinematography and Art Direction. (Agencies)
