For San Francisco readers keeping up-to-date on world news, we are pleased to present this story from The BBC.

Danny Boyle’s film Slumdog Millionaire has swept the Critics’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles, winning five prizes, including best film and director.

Dev Patel, who stars in the rags-to-riches story about an improbable winner of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, was named best young actor.

The movie also collected the trophies for best writer and composer.

The Dark Knight won a pair of awards, for best action movie and for Heath Ledger as best supporting actor.

When Ledger’s award was presented, the crowd rose to its feet as the The Dark Knight’s director, Christopher Nolan, accepted the late actor’s award on his behalf.

‘Greatest experiences’

“I can’t presume to speak for him. His voice was as unique as it was original,” said Nolan.

He added that working with the star, who died of an accidental drug overdose a year ago, “was one of the greatest experiences any of us ever had or will have”.

“His contributions to cinema should be greatly appreciated, so thanks for this appreciation.”

Sean Penn was another double-winner, being named best actor and sharing the acting-ensemble award for Milk, the drama about California’s first openly-gay elected politician, Harvey Milk.

Referring to Slumdog Millionaire, Boyle said it was “amazing” to see how generous critics had been to his film.

He described it as “a love song” to Mumbai.

The Critics’ Choice Awards, organised by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, is one of the most reliable predictors of Oscar success.

In the last 10 years, 70% of the critics’ winners have gone on to collect Academy Awards.

Nominations for the Oscars are announced on 22 January

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation

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