The Artist" triumphs at London Film Critics awards Poster of "The Artist" LONDON, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The black-and-white s...
The Artist" triumphs at London Film Critics awards
Poster of "The Artist"
LONDON, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The black-and-white silent movie "The Artist" on Thursday triumphed at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards by taking away three big awards -- best film, best director and best actor.
The victory for "The Artist" comes hot on the heels of its big win at the Golden Globes with three awards and its leading position in the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) film awards with 14 nominations.
The film's French director Michel Hazanavicius and actor Jean Dujardin were both in London to pick up their trophies.
The actress of the year award was shared between Meryl Streep for her role as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," and Anna Paquin for her part in "Margaret." Streep, who also won the Golden Globe for best actress, was hotly favored for the best actress in the upcoming Oscars and BAFTA awards.
Disappointment to supporters of the much-touted British Cold War spy thriller "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," which had led with six nominations, the film only garnered one award for technical achievement.
The Dilys Powell Award for excellence in film went to accomplished British director Nicholas Roeg, who directed several highly regarded movies from the 1970s, which included "Performance" with Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, "Don't Look Now" and "Walkabout."
Commenting on this year's awards and nominees, Jason Solomons, London Film Critics' Circle Chairman, said, "Judging from the quality of films and performances honored tonight, it is clear that the critics, who see every film, not just those with awards campaigns behind them, have an increasingly influential voice in awards races."
Solomons said the wide range of viewing has thrown up great surprises and championed small films from around the world of film.
"Without the enthusiasm of critics, terrific films such as 'The Artist,' 'A Separation' and 'Margaret'... would not be receiving the wider, global attention occasions such as this can inspire," he said.
The awards were held at the British Film Institute cinema complex on the South Bank district of central London, and were voted on by 120 British film critics.
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