‘Avatar’ Wins Most Empire Awards
On Sunday night, James Cameron’s Avatar took home three of the top trophies in what turned out to be a good night for science fiction at Britain’s Empre Film Awards, according to the BBC.
Avatar was named Best Film, Cameron received the Best Director award, and Zoe Saldana was named Best Actress at the ceremony in London.
Star Trek won the trophy for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy film. Picking up the award, Simon Pegg (who played Scotty) said that films like Star Trek, District 9 and Avatar meant it had been a good year for science fiction. ”It’s nice to see some recognition,” he told the BBC. “Star Trek was a hard thing to do, J.J. Abrams did it with amazing aplomb. He took a story that people were starting to lose interest in – in the mainstream — and brought it back to a larger audience.”
Sherlock Holmes was named Best Thriller film, while Jude Law, recently seen as Dr Watson in the movie, was awarded the title of Empire Hero.
Sir Ian McKellen, who starred in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy and the X-Men movies, was presented with the Empire Icon award. “I’ve played iconic parts — I think that’s the point. I played Gandalf the Grey and the White and Magneto. So their lustre rubs off on me rather than the other way round,” McKellen said.
Nominations are chosen by film fans via Empire‘s website, making it the only major awards event voted for by the public. Notably, The Hurt Locker this time came away empty-handed. Avatar had taken the best film honour at the Golden Globes, but lost out to The Hurt Locker in that category at both the Baftas and the Oscars. Similarly, Cameron won best director at the Globes, but lost out to The Hurt Locker‘s Kathryn Bigelow at the Baftas and Oscars.
Here’s the complete list of winners:
Best Film: Avatar
Best Director: James Cameron (Avatar)
Best Actor: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Best Actress: Avatar
Best Newcomer: Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy)
Best Thriller: Sherlock Holmes
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film: Star Trek
Best Horror: Let The Right One In
Best Comedy: In The Loop
Best British Film: Harry Brown
Outstanding Contribution To British Film: Ray Winstone
Empire Hero: Jude Law
Inspiration award: Andy Serkis
Empire Icon: Sir Ian McKellen.
