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NEW YORK: Director Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was named best film of 2008 by the National Board of Review on Thursday in the first major award of the Oscar season.
Following the likes of indie films like ‘Juno’ and ‘Little Miss Sunshine’, the board’s picks are usually considered as an indicator to the Academy Awards in February.
Having scooped up ‘Best British Independent Film’, 'Best Director' and actor Dev Patel as 'Most Promising Newcomer of the Year' at the British Independent Film Awards on 30 November, the film grossed over US$3.7 million in the United States alone.
The strengths of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ lie in its vivid cinematography, upbeat soundtrack and large cast of local talent.
“Slumdog Millionaire, with brilliant direction by Danny Boyle and incredible performances, shares a passionate story about one man’s courage and determination for the woman he loves,” said Annie Schulhof, the board’s president.
Based on the bestselling novel ‘Q&A’ by Vikas Swarup, the film tells the tale of a poor boy in India who gets a shot at winning millions on television game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” as he tried to reunite with his lost love.
'Slumdog Millionaire' also walked away with 'Breakthrough Performance by an actor' (Dav Patel) and shared the same honour with 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' for 'Best Adapted Screenplay'.
Clint Eastwood won best actor for his role as a racist Korean War veteran “Gran Torino”, which he also directed. The film won the prize for best original screenplay.
Anne Hathaway picked up best actress for her role as a rehab patient in “Rachel Getting Married”, while David Fincher was named best director for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.
Supporting actor awards were won by Josh Brolin in gays rights drama "Milk" and Penelope Cruz in Woody Allen's comedy "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE will be distributed by Golden Village Pictures in Singapore and is slated to open on 5 February 2009.
-CNA/jk
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