London, Feb 13: "The Aviator" soared at the British Academy Film Awards, taking four prizes including Best Film. Mike Leigh's "Vera Drake" won three at a glamorous ceremony that is considered an important pre-Oscars bellwether.
Leigh was named Best Director, beating "The Aviator" Director Martin Scorcese.
Scorcese's film, which has 11 nominations for the Feb. 27 Academy Awards, had led the field with 14 nominations. But members of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts scattered the prizes widely.
While Scorcese and "Aviator" star Leonardo Dicaprio went home yesterday empty-handed, the film won a Best Supporting Actress Award for Cate Blanchett, as well as prizes for production design and best hair and makeup.
Imelda Staunton won Best Actress for her wrenching performance as a 1950s cockney housewife who performs illegal abortions in "Vera Drake." The film also took the costume design prize.
"Mike Leigh is a genius, and working on this film was a dream come true," Staunton said.
Leigh, whose victory drew a big cheer from the hometown audience, declared himself "overwhelmed."
"It's an immense privilege to have been allowed the freedom to make as uncompromising a film as I think we've made, and to make such an epic film with such a small budget," he said.
Jamie Foxx was named Best Actor for his uncanny depiction of singer Ray Charles in "Ray"; the film also won the award for best sound. British star Clive Owen was named Best Supporting Actor for "Closer."
Bureau Report
