Academy Awards

Slumdog Millionaire cleans-up with eight Oscars

Article published on the 2009-02-23 Latest update 2009-02-26 12:14 TU

Presenter Will Smith at the 81st Academy Awards ceremony.
(Photo: Reuters)

The rags-to-riches drama Slumdog Millionaire had an enormous night Sunday in Los Angeles, winning eight Academy Awards, including best film, best director, best adapted screenplay and best song.

Director Danny Boyle.
(Photo: Reuters)

The feel-good film about a Mumbai tea boy who rises from poverty and enters a television quiz show to win millions and find the love of his life, won eight of the nine categories in which it was nominated.

Slumdog’s recipients included British director Danny Boyle and Indian composer AR Rahman who took home two Oscars for best song and original score. It was a big vindication for the Bollywood-inspired film, which almost went straight to video in the US last year after it lost its distributor. If this had happened, the film would not have been eligible for Academy Awards.

But some people have been more critical of Slumdog's success.

"Understand that people in India do know that there are slums, and there is poverty, people are absolutely aware of it, it is just that people haven’t been doing anything about it, so I don’t think a film will come and change peoples’ points of view [...] it’s just a film and people will enjoy it because it is a film," says Piyush Shah, an Indian director of photography.

"Slumdog Millionaire is not an India film, it’s produced, directed and photographed by non-Indians […] they came here and used an Indian story, and they made a film about Indians […] and perhaps the markets will be a little more open to films coming from india, but I don’t think this film will create a sea of change," Shah added, speaking from Mumbai.

Actor Sean Penn
(Photo: Reuters)

"Thank you, you commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns. I did not expect this," joked Sean Penn after collecting the second best actor Oscar of his career for his leading role in Milk.

The film tells the story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, who went on to be assassinated. Penn used his acceptance speech to argue against California’s recent ban on marriage between homosexuals.

"We've got to have equal rights for everyone", he said.

Actress Kate Winslet
(Photo: Reuters)

Kate Winslet, meanwhile, won her first Oscar after being previously nominated five times. She picked up best actress honours for her portrayal of a Nazi death-camp guard who later faces war crimes charges.

"I'd be lying if I haven't made a version of this speech before. I think I was probably eight-years-old and staring into the bathroom mirror and this would have been a shampoo bottle," she told the audience.

Penelope Cruz took home best supporting actress honours for her part in the Woody Allen comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Actress Penelope Cruz
(Photo: Reuters)

"Has anybody ever fainted here? Because I might be the first one," an overwhelmed Cruz said as she accepted her award.

The celebratory atmosphere was interrupted, however, when the best supporting actor honour was posthumously bestowed on Heath Ledger, and his family accepted the statuette.

Ledger, who died of a drug overdose last year, was recognised for his portrayal of the Joker in the 2008 hit The Dark Knight.

Heath Ledger's family, (L-R) mother Sally Bell, father Kim Ledger, and sister Kate Ledger, accept the award on his behalf.
(Photo: Reuters)

"We really wish you were, but we proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful daughter Matilda. Thank you," Ledger’s sister Kate said.

Despite high hopes in France for The Class, French filmmakers came away empty handed at the 81st annual ceremony.

The Class, a film about a multicultural high school class in Paris had won the Palme d'Or, the best film award at the Cannes Film Festival last year, and was nominated as best foreign film.

Another notable 2008 French hit, Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, also enjoyed international sucess after breaking the all-time box office records here in France.