Heath Ledger wins top Aussie film award for 'The Dark Knight'
On Saturday night, Heath Ledger was posthumously awarded top kudos* from the Australian Film Institute for his performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight." While saluting home-grown film and TV production, the AFI also honors Aussies who go on to star in international fare. Ledger triumphed over Eric Bana ("The Other Boleyn Girl"), Russell Crowe ("American Gangster") and Jack Thompson ("Leatherheads"). He also won this award in 2006 for his Oscar-nominated performance in "Brokeback Mountain."
As per this report from ABC News, "His father Kim, mother Sally and sister Kate accepted the award from actor Michael Caton, receiving a standing ovation from the A-list film and television crowd in Melbourne's Princess Theatre. 'It's been without a doubt the most difficult year, losing such a loved family member,' said Kate Ledger, fighting back tears. 'We are so proud of him and humbly accept this award on behalf of his beautiful daughter, who we will cherish forever.' Sally Ledger thanked the AFI for the tribute to her son. 'We are immensely proud of him, not only for his professional achievements but in the way he truly cherished his family, friends and his precious Matilda,' she said. 'Heath was never one to accept mediocrity, he put his heart and soul into achieving what he believed was required and followed his passions with great enthusiasm and an insatiable curiosity. He did achieve internationally. However, Heath also believed in the Australian film industry and loved any chance to be back home and working with an Aussie cast and crew.' "
Cate Blanchett took the international actress award for her Oscar-nominated performance in "Elizabeth:The Golden Age," beating Nicole Kidman ("The Golden Compass") as well as Emmy winner Judy Davis ("The Starter Wife") and Emmy nominee Rachel Griffiths ("Brothers & Sisters"). And Hugh Jackman was the people's choice, winning the News Limited Readers Choice Award. Bana took this honor last year, Ledger won it in 2006, and Blanchett triumphed in 2005.
Of the Aussie films in contention, "The Black Balloon" was the big winner, taking best picture, director (Elissa Down), original screenplay (Elissa Down & Jimmy the Exploder), supporting actor (Luke Ford), and supporting actress (Toni Collette). The film about a family dealing with an autistic son has just opened stateside. "The Unfinished Sky" won best actor (William McInnes), actress (Monic Hendrickx) and adapted screenplay (Peter Duncan) for an unlikely love story between an Outback rancher and an abused Afghan sex worker.
And among Aussie TV shows, "Underbelly" took top drama series, direction and all four acting awards for the controversial fictionalization of Melbourne's recent gangland wars that was barred from airing there due to ongoing criminal trials of the real-life accused. On a much lighter note, "Summer Heights High" (now showing on HBO) won best comedy series as well as a performance prize for show creator Chris Lilley.
For the full list of winners -- CLICK HERE
Photo: Warner Bros.
*Note: Earlier post had "kudo" singular -- thanks for pointing out the error.
Actually kudo is a word the plural of which is kudos.
Kudo
1. honor; glory; acclaim:
No greater kudo could have been bestowed.
2. a statement of praise or approval; accolade; compliment: one kudo after another.
Posted by: Hannah | December 08, 2008 at 06:07 AM
"Kudos" is a non-count noun, meaning praise. The final consonant is pronounced as an s, not a z. You can no more be awarded "a kudo" than you can receive "a prai". Readers expect better than this from someone being paid for writing English.
Posted by: Mike Agnes | December 07, 2008 at 08:23 PM
It's a triump award in memory of Health Ledger.
Wow..James Deans ' brother.
jerome ho
Posted by: Jerome Ho | December 07, 2008 at 07:54 PM