It
was a night of mixed blessings and some disappointments
for the North at this year’s Oscars.
In total South Shields-born Ridley Scott’s Gladiator
won five Oscars including Best Actor for Russell Crowe
as well as in costume design, sound and visual effects
categories.
But for director Ridley Scott, it was a bittersweet victory.
Scott, who was widely expected to be eclipsed by Ang Lee,
failed to win - beaten instead by Soderbergh. "I
owe this to one bloke and his name is Ridley Scott,"
said Crowe in his acceptance speech. "Ridley Scott,
you invaded three continents with your tireless perfectionism
and brought new meaning to the phrase mad dogs and Englishmen
in the noonday sun," said producer Douglas Wick in
his acceptance speech.
Russell Crowe made mention of both Ridley Scott and the
young star of Billy Elliot, Jamie Bell, in his
acceptance speech. He talked about how impossible winning
an Oscar seemed, to a boy growing up in the suburbs of
Auckland "or the suburbs of Newcastle, like Ridley
Scott or Jamie Bell".
Sting and his wife talked about their disappointment at
not winning the Oscar for Best Original Song. Sting's
wife, Trudie Styler said "It's been a disappointing
night for the North East". Sting added, "Yeah,
Newcastle got stuffed but there you go"
Jonathan Ross was on BBC Breakfast to give his verdict
on the results. He said that he didn't ever expect York-born
Judi Dench or Julie Walters to win any awards on the night.
He said that Judi Dench in Chocolat was "a
bit over the top" while he personally found Billy
Elliot, "Prosaic and a bit clichéd."
This week...
o Scottish Screen in Shetland Film Controversy >>>
o Scotland’s Mansions put on the Movie
Map >>>
o Edinburgh Conservatives decry refugee
video diary project >>>
o Who Dressed Harry Potter?
>>> archive >>>
It
was a night of mixed blessings and some disappointments
for the North at this year’s Oscars.