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'Great night for Britain' at Golden Globes
By Wesley Johnson, PA, in New York

INDEPENDENT
14 January 2008

Atonement was named best picture at a toned-down Golden Globes ceremony in Los Angeles last nght - in what its producer Tim Bevan hailed as a " great night for British cinema"
The British film, the adaptation of Ian McEwan's best-selling novel set around the Second World War, also scooped best original score after receiving seven nominations.
Longford, Channel 4's exploration of the relationship between Moors Murderer Myra Hindley and prisons campaigner Lord Longford, also won three awards at the 65th annual Golden Globes.
Mr Bevan said: "We're delighted that a British film should win best picture in a year where there are some fantastic films out there.
"It's a great night for British cinema.
"It's the right award to have won as well because it's a collective award, and we've had a brilliant cast and crew, everyone who's been involved.
"This movie was inspired by the imagination of Ian McEwan, and it's extraordinary that we were able to put together such a talented group of actors and crew that were able to remain true to the story.
"Lastly, none of this would have been possible without the unique talents and vision of our director, Joe Wright - this award is truly his."
Asked whether it was a good sign for the film ahead of next month's Oscars, Mr Bevan said: "Yes, but let's take one step at a time.
"We've got to get a nomination first and it's a year where there are some very good films out there."
He said that the strike which saw the usual glitzy ceremony cancelled, was affecting a lot of people in the film industry, not just writers.
The 49-year-old producer and Working Title Films co-chairman added: "In a way it's a shame but I've sat through a lot of Golden Globe ceremonies where we haven't won. It's been quicker and we've won.
"It's a shame but there's a strike going on where a lot of people in our industry are suffering so one can't be too facetious about it."
But the Hollywood glitz was missing as the usually-lavish awards ceremony was replaced with a news conference without any celebrities in attendance because of the continuing writers' strike.
The strike over payment to writers from shows offered on the internet started in November and has led to the Writers Guild of America refusing to let union members work on the star-studded show.
Actors said they would boycott the ceremony rather than cross picket lines.
To date, the walkout is thought to have cost the Los Angeles area around £700 million and the fate of Hollywood's biggest night, the Oscars, next month, remains uncertain.
In the 65th annual Golden Globes, Atonement fought off strong competition from violent thrillers American Gangster, Eastern Promises and No Country for Old Men, legal drama Michael Clayton, historical saga There Will Be Blood and Oprah Winfrey-produced feelgood film The Great Debaters, for the best film award.
But its star Keira Knightley lost in the best actress category to veteran Julie Christie for her role in Away From Her.
And Knightley's co-star James McAvoy missed out on the best actor award, which went to Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood.
Irish newcomer, 13-year-old Saoirse Ronan, was nominated for best supporting actress, but saw the Globe go to Cate Blanchett for the Bob Dylan tale I'm Not There.
In the TV categories, Longford scooped best mini-series, best actor in a mini-series for Jim Broadbent and best supporting actress for Samantha Morton.
Ricky Gervais's Extras won best TV comedy, but Gervais missed out on the Golden Globe for best TV comedy actor for his role in the series, with the award going to David Duchovny for Californication.
Sweeney Todd scooped best musical as its star Johnny Depp was also named best actor in a musical, playing a vengeful barber who slits the throats of his customers in the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Broadway hit.
And a series of British stars missed out on the awards.
Helena Bonham Carter, who was nominated as best actress in a musical or comedy, lost to Marion Cotillard, who portrayed singer Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose, playing the French icon from youth through middle age and into her ailing final years.
And rising British star Ruth Wilson, who was nominated for her role as Jane Eyre, lost out on the Golden Globe for best actress in a miniseries or movie to Queen Latifah, who won for Life Support.
American Gangster's British director Ridley Scott lost in the best director category to Julian Schnabel for The Diving Bell and The Butterfly.
Briton Anna Friel, who was nominated for her role in new series Pushing Daisies, lost out in the best TV comedy actress category to Tina Fey, who won for 30 Rock.
Other homegrown hopoefuls - Hugh Laurie, who was hoping to win best actor in a TV drama for the second year running with his role as a hospital doctor in House, and Minnie Driver, who was nominated for best actress in a TV drama for The Riches - also missed out.
The awards were voted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and are a precursor to the Oscars next month.

orpheum

The press conference was on the news this morning.All very sober.Will this happen to the Oscars?It will cost the film industryt a bomb if it does.Is this a great opportunity for British film makers since towards the year there will be a dearth of Hollywood films so the multiplexs will have to fill the screens somehow.

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