Vera Drake and Aviator share Bafta honours

LONDON - "The Aviator" has swooped to land the Best Picture prize at tonight's Bafta awards but the Hollywood blockbuster has had to share the limelight with "Vera Drake," a low-budget drama about a backstreet abortionist.

Leonardo DiCaprio, who played billionaire playboy and inventor Howard Hughes, flew into London with Martin Scorsese, director of "The Aviator," for British cinema's big night of the year.

The critically acclaimed film landed the Best Film Bafta on Saturday and Cate Blanchett was picked as Best Supporting Actress for her role as Katharine Hepburn.

But DiCaprio failed to land the coveted Best Actor award -- that went to Jamie Foxx for his portrayal of singer Ray Charles in "Ray."

And the British film industry certainly had plenty to cheer.

Mike Leigh was named Best Director for "Vera Drake" and hot favourite Imelda Staunton landed the Best Actress award for her part in the title role.

The other major award -- Best Supporting Actor -- went to British actor Clive Owen for his thrillingly intense portrayal in "Closer" which has already garnered him a Golden Globe as well as an Oscar nomination.

Owen said: "This is very special because I've spent most of my career here. Closer started here and the film was shot here and I live here."

Blanchett was quick to pay tribute to Hepburn, the larger-than-life film star she depicted in "The Aviator."

"She really paved the way for women working in film today," Blanchett said.

After his surprise defeat of the legendary Scorsese to be named Best Director, Mike Leigh said: "Given the other names, it's a real surprise and an extraordinary honour."

Staunton, who fought off hotly fancied compatriot Kate Winslet to land the award, was quick to hail Leigh for helping to conjure up the greatest portrayal of her career: "He is a genius. I had the best time making this film."

Foxx was unable to make the London award ceremony but in an acceptance speech read out for him, he said: "I'm honoured and proud to receive this Bafta. I'd like to thank the late Ray Charles himself."

The Baftas were moved in 2001 from April to February to fall between the Golden Globes and the Oscars and seek to steal some Hollywood limelight as the cinema awards season reaches its climax.

But with a penchant for offbeat and quirky small-budget movies, the Baftas have not always been the most accurate guide to Oscar glory when it came to the big winners.

- REUTERS