Hollywood's night of nights

The industry's A-listers graced the red carpet for the 84th edition of the annual Academy Awards on Sunday night, with "The Artist" winning five honors, including best picture.

The film was the first silent film to gain the top prize since the first Oscar ceremony 83 years ago. The film's star, Jean Dujardin, won best actor, and Michel Hazanavicius won best director.

"I am the happiest director in the world," said Havanavicius in his acceptance speech, thanking the cast and crew. "I also want to thank the financier, the crazy person who put money in the movie."

The other high winners were Meryl Streep as best actress, unsurprisingly, for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." It was her third Academy Award and first in 29 years after a record number of nominations.

Octavia Spencer won best supporting actress for a mouthy housemaid who tells her story in the US civil rights era film "The Help." Christopher Plummer, meanwhile, won best supporting actor for "Beginners," in which he plays an elderly man who embraces his gay identity. At 82, he became the oldest winner for acting ever.

"You're only two years older than me, darling," Plummer joked, addressing his Oscar statue. "Where have you been all my life? I have a confession to make. When I first emerged from my mother's womb, I was already rehearsing my Oscar speech."

"Hugo," directed by stalwart Martin Scorsese, went into the awards night with the most nominations - 11 in total, while "The Artist" had 10 nominations of its own.

Hundreds of millions of people around the globe were expected to tune in for the ceremony, hosted once again by veteran Billy Crystal.

acb, dfm/gb (Reuters, AFP)