A French black and white, mostly silent film was the only Oscar Best Picture Nominee that was actually shot in Hollywood. Originated on Kodak Vision 3 500T 35mm color film, it received 5 Oscars in the previously named (before chapter 11) Kodak Theatre. Ironic.
The Artist, an homage to Hollywood silent films and the move to talkies, won five awards: best picture, director, actor, costumes, and score. It is the first silent film to win in 83 years.
Jean Dujardin (best actor) thanked the Academy: “It’s funny because in 1929, it wasn’t Billy Crystal but Douglas Fairbanks who hosted the first Oscars ceremony. Tickets cost $5 and it lasted 15 minutes. Times have changed.”
Director Michel Hazanavicius included Uggie the scene-stealing dog in his thanks.
Photo courtesy The Weinstein Company
