Slumdog Millionaire wins awards in 7 categories at BAFTA 2009

That’s how the 2000 people including the distinguished guests, members of the Academy and the award nominees of the BAFTA Awards 2009 were greeted on the lavish red carpet laid down at the Royal Opera House, Convent Garden in London last night to find out who got their hands on the world famous BAFTA masks. We are talking about the creme de la creme of the Hollywood, British and the Indian Film Industry who walked the red carpet last night all under one roof. Best Supporting Actress nominee Penelope Cruz caught the eye in Vicky Cristina Barcelona was in her flowing black creation Alaia, Angelina Jolie, the Best Actress nominee for Changeling hit the red carpet like an Armani Prive lightening flash alongside partner and Best Actor contender Brad Pitt who was sporting a moustache, Marisa Tomei, in the Best Supporting Actress category for The Wrestler brought a dash of subtle colour to proceedings in her sari style gown, Sharon Stone, presenter of the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film, was radiant in red Galliano, Mumbai’s very own Frieda Pinto, a Best Supporting Actress nominee for Slumdog Millionaire was Oscar De La Renta’s vision in Pink. The ever smiling Dev Patel in his black suit looked perfectly relaxed despite being the youngest nominee in the Best Actor category for Slumdog Millionaire and Danny Boyle with his charming personality pleased one and all. The winners of the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2009 were announced at a grand ceremony hosted by British actor and comedian Jonathan Ross. The party continued inside for the cast and crew of Slumdog Millionaire as it won five of the first nine awards. “It’s been a quiet night for us tonight,” deadpanned cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, one of several technicians to be recognized for his work on Boyle’s film.
 
“I know it seems as if one ought to get used to it,” said Simon Beaufoy, whose Slumdog script landed the best adapted screenplay award. Slumdog Millionaire was named the ‘Best Film’ at yesterday’s Orange British Academy Film Awards, held at London’s Royal Opera House. The film also won six other awards: ‘Director’ for Danny Boyle, ‘Adapted Screenplay’ for Simon Beaufoy, ‘Music’ for A.R.Rahman, ‘Cinematography’ for Anthony Dod Mantle, ‘Editing’ for Chris Dickens and ‘Sound’ for Glenn Freemantle, Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Tom Sayers, Ian Tapp. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button won three BAFTAs; for Production Design, Make Up & Hair and Special Visual Effects. Kate Winslet was awarded the BAFTA for Leading Actress for The Reader. The Supporting Actress BAFTA went to Penélope Cruz for her role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Mickey Rourke won the Leading Actor award for The Wrestler and the Supporting Actor award was presented posthumously to Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight. In a very good night for British film, In Bruges won the BAFTA for Original Screenplay and The Duchess won the BAFTA for Costume Design. Director/writer Steve McQueen received The Carl Foreman Award for Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer for their First Feature Film for Hunger. The BAFTA for Outstanding British Film went to the documentary Man on Wire. I’ve Loved You So Long took away the Film Not in the English Language BAFTA and the award for Animated Film went to Wall-E. Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death won the Short Animation award and the Short Film award was presented to September. Two awards were announced earlier this week: the Academy Fellowship was awarded to Terry Gilliam and the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema was presented to Pinewood and Shepperton Studios. The Orange Rising Star Award was presented to Noel Clarke, director and star of Adulthood. This award recognises an international actor or actress who has demonstrated exceptional talent and has begun to be recognised as a film star in the making. This award, now in its fourth year, was created in honour of Mary Selway, the highly respected casting director, who died in 2004. With Slumdog Millionaire sweeping the awards at this years BAFTA’s, we’ll have to wait and watch if this award winning film hits the maximum at Oscars 2009.