It looked like triumphant V-J Day at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences tonight.

The official premiere of "Flags of Our Fathers" was held at Oscar headquarters in Beverly Hills just hours after the first reviews came out — mostly raves so far. At the end of the screening, director/ producer/ music composer Clint Eastwood descended the staircase into the academy lobby like a conquering hero as he mingled with excited pals, colleagues, coworkers and guests at the after-party that's just now winding now. I scooted early so I could get back to The Envelope to give you this report.

And what a fete it was! Adam Beach and costars looked joyous as they partied and ate like hungry soldiers wolfing down lemongrass chicken, tuna tostada and rosemary-skewered jumbo shrimp -- oh, yeah, and whatever liquid delights they desired from the 4 or 5 bars set up to accommodate the 1,000 attendees.

Photo: Clint stayed in the same spot throughout the party — midway between the theater stairs and the front door — while admirers pressed through the crowd to congratulate him upon his latest directorial achievement.
(L.A. Times photo by Tom O'Neil)