USA: Awards season kicks off with Sandra Bullock, Ben Affleck, Penelope Cruz, and Robin Williams attending the Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala

Record ID: 203768

  • Title: USA: Awards season kicks off with Sandra Bullock, Ben Affleck, Penelope Cruz, and Robin Williams attending the Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala
  • Date: 26th October 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) PENELOPE CRUZ, WINNER OF ACTRESS OF THE YEAR FOR "VOLVER", SAYING: "I read it (script for "Volver") and I couldn't believe he (Pedro Almadovar) was putting that in my hands. That is the kind of material I want the kind of material I have been fighting for but you need somebody else's trust you know so the three times I have worked with him he has give
  • Embargoed: 10th November 2006 12:00
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  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA9MBFX1W1OTWJV62D4GRVB1PTP
  • Story Text: Celebrities were out in full force at the 10th annual Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala in Los Angeles, California on Monday (October 23). Not since the Oscars have so many A-list celebrities hit the red carpet. The Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton, were created to bridge the gap between Hollywood and the global creative community, while at the same time honoring established Hollywood professionals. Celebrities, including Jennifer Garner, and from a broad spectrum films were at the event to toast the winners including Ben Affleck for his portrayal in "Hollywoodland."
    "I work just as hard for every role but probably my heart and soul is not the same in every role but certainly the amount of effort that has gone into it is. The thing I have really learned about movies and acting and the whole thing is that it really depends on the script foremost. That is the most important thing. In that sense if you have a good script, and a really interesting story about a guy and then from there it kind of depends on people to execute but you can't do that unless you've got a really good director," said actor Ben Affleck, winner of best supporting actor".
    Comedy darling Sandra Bullock, who has taken a dramatic turn in recent years shined on the red carpet in a Angel Sanchez dress as she was about to accept her award for her role in "Infamous."
    "The score for me was being in the film. The score for me last year was being in "Crash". Just having the opportunity, I decided to do things (besides romantic comedies) go after different things and I was allowed to do them. Just because I changed my mind doesn't mean I am allowed to do them so that to me is just to be able to be in them is a prize enough. This is daunting, beautiful, an honor, something that fills me with pride I hope have a good time, I hope everyone is relaxed," said Bullock, winner of 'Best Supporting Actress'.
    Newcomer Derek Luke, who has definite Oscar buzz for his performance as an apartheid freedom fighter in the true story "Catch a Fire", was people-watching at the awards ceremony.
    "I just see people that really light up my life like Sandra Bullock. I was watching her movie on the plane the other day and now I am here maybe I will get autograph." said the winner of 'Hollywood Breakthrough Acting Award'.
    One film creating its own Oscar buzz is "Bobby" and its huge A-list cast took home the 'Best Ensemble' award with such attendees as director Emilio Estevez, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Lindsay Lohan, Christian Slater, Laurence Fishburne, Freddy Rodriguez, Joy Bryant, Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
    "I am still working on the movie I just came from the mixing stage truly so the movie is not done yet so to be given an award for a picture that I have not even seen the finished product is outrageous," said Emilio Estevez, director and star of winner of best ensemble for "Bobby".
    "Bobby" is the story of the assassination of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, on June 6, 1968, which centers around 22 people who were at the Ambassador Hotel where he was killed. Veteran Hollywood actress Sharon Stone plays Miriam.
    "It was a real ensemble because in fact we all really worked together. We were all really together. It was quite something to be there and to come out of your trailer and to see that astonishing cast all at the lunch tables together. Because often when you make a film even if there is a great cast you rarely see each other or rarely see everybody all at the same time. You may work with one or two people but in this particular film you actually work with everybody, it was just marvellous," said Stone, wearing a vintage Lanvin skirt.
    Another film on Oscar look out is "The Last King of Scotland" which examines Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's regime through the eyes of his personal physician during the 1970s.
    "It's very exciting because we have "The Last King of Scotland" out and I really want people to see the film and for them to acknowledge the film and my work this year it means a lot to me personally and hopefully it will mean something to getting people to see the film. Because I think it is very special, very entertaining and very powerful," said Forest Whitaker, winner of actor of the year for his portrayal of Amin in 'The Last King Of Scotland'. However, all eyes on the red carpet were on Actor Robin Williams, who was honoured with a life-time achievement award.
    "It feels okay, it feels like I gotta keep working thank you. Its nice to get one and know what you are getting. Not be too old and not be too young where they go 'what are you kidding me?' so it's in between," the actor said.
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