Atonement wins hat-trick
2008-03-10 15:20
London - Wartime romance Atonement has
won three prizes at Empire magazine's annual awards ceremony,
including best British film.
Its stars James McAvoy and Keira Knightley were named best
actor and actress after missing out at the Baftas and Oscars.
The epic drama, based on Ian McEwan's novel, was nominated
in six categories, including best director for Joe Wright.
Tim Bevan, who co-produced the film, said: "This is an
absolutely amazing time in British cinema at the moment, which
is mainly because we have such an amazing collection of British
directors."
The other nominees for the best UK film prize were: Sci-fi
thriller Sunshine; police comedy Hot Fuzz; Joy Division
biopic Control and social drama This Is England.
The best film award went to spy thriller The Bourne
Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon as amnesiac assassin Jason
Bourne.
Best director
David Yates won the best director award for Harry Potter
and the Order of the Phoenix, while zombie movie 28 Weeks
Later picked up the best horror film prize.
Actor Sam Riley won the best newcomer award for his
portrayal of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.
Other winners at Sunday's ceremony included Control
(soundtrack); American Gangster (thriller) and Stardust
(sci-fi/fantasy).
The winners were chosen by readers of Empire magazine.