The toast of Tinseltown

SYDNEY producer Emile Sherman is an Academy Award winner after his film, The King’s Speech, beat out a strong field to claim the Best Picture Oscar.

The film edged The Social Network, True Grit, The Kids Are Alright, Toy Story 3, Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, 127 Hours and Winter’s Bone in a year that will be remembered for the high quality of nominated movies.

Sherman’s film dominated the major categories, including Best Original Screenplay for Jewish writer David Seidler, Best Actor for star Colin Firth and Best Director for Tom Hooper.

Sherman thanked the cast and crew as well as his parents, Sydney patrons of the arts Brian and Gene Sherman.

“To have been part of a film that has touched and moved people so much all around the world has been just a huge privilege,” Sherman said on accepting his award.

“Personally, to my wife Caroline and my parents Brian and Gene [thank you] for your love and support.”

A pregnant Natalie Portman confirmed her favouritism in the Best Actress category, taking out the award for her role in Black Swan. Portman’s brilliant turn as demented ballerina Nina Meyers had already earned her a BAFTA and Golden Globe in the lead-up to Hollywood’s night of nights.

Aaron Sorkin made it two-from-two for Jewish screenwriters, taking out the Best Adapted Screenplay gong for The Social Network, about the life of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.

Predictably, Toy Story 3 was named Best Animated Feature, with Jewish writer/director Lee Unkrich accepting the award.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the night was the failure of Coen brothers film True Grit to win an award, despite being nominated in 10 categories.

The award for Best Foreign Language Film went to Jewish Danish writer/director Susanne Bier for her film In a Better World, while Strangers No More, a documentary short from filmmakers Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon about the work of the Bialik-Rogozin School in south Tel Aviv, won in its category.

Lora Hirschberg took home a statuette with two collaborators for her sound mixing work on Inception.

There were also a raft of Jewish presenters including Stephen Spielberg – who presented Sherman with his statuette – Billy Crystal and Kirk Douglas.

Jewish actor James Franco co-hosted the event with Anne Hathaway and was also nominated in the Best Actor category for his role as adventurer Aron Ralston in 127 Hours.

Six of the best

Best Picture
The King’s Speech

Best Actor
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech

Best Actress
Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Best Supporting Actor
Christian Bale, The Fighter

Best Supporting Actress
Melissa Leo, The Fighter

Best Director
Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech

REPORT: ADAM KAMIEN

PHOTO: Colin Firth in his Oscar-winning role in The King’s Speech.