Awards Watch - Waltz With Bashir Scoops Top Prize

05 January 2009

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The National Society of Film Critics threw the cat amongst the pigeons this weekend as it named animated film Waltz with Bashir their Best Picture of 2008.

Soldier turned filmmaker Ari Folman has produced the first animated feature length war documentary that tells the true and gut wrenching story of the invasion of South Lebanon by the Israeli army in June 1982.

Ari Folman, as part of his national service, invaded South Lebanon following years of Palestinian bombardment from their territory, planning to occupy the country and appoint Bashir Gemayel as President. The film goes on to depict the massacre of the Sabra and Shatila Palestinian refugee camps but Ari cannot remember a thing about this period in his life.

Waltz with Bashir is Israel�s entry for the best foreign language Oscar and is unlikely to be nominated for Best Picture. Disney movie Beauty and the Beast remains the only animation movie to be nominated in the Best Picture category back in 1991.

The Best Picture category for the Oscars now looks wide open as a string of films, including Wall-E, Slumdog Millionaire and Milk have all shared the top prize during the early part of the award ceremonies.

But there was more success for British film Happy Go Lucky as actress Sally Hawkins was once again hailed as the best actress for her performance as the upbeat Poppy in the film. This latest award really does cement her as a front runner in the business end of the award season.

There were also awards for Mike Leigh who scooped Best Director for the film and a Best Supporting Actor gong for Eddie Marsan.

Happy Go Lucky tied with Pixar's Wall-E for runner up in the best picture category.

Sean Penn picked up another award for his portrayal of politician Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sant's biopic Milk and although the actor does appear to be the front runner for the Best Actor Oscar he is a recent recipient of the award back in 2003.

Best Picture - Waltz With Bashir

Best Actor - Sean Penn for Milk

Best Actress - Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Supporting Actor - Eddie Marsan for Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Supporting Actress - Hanna Schygulla for The Edge of Heaven

Best Director - Mike Leigh for Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Cinematography - Slumdog Millionaire

Best Experimental Film - Razzle Dazzle

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw