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Oscars open with triumph for Cruz Oscars open with triumph for Cruz
(30 minutes later)
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz has won the first major award of the night at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood.Spanish actress Penelope Cruz has won the first major award of the night at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood.
The 34-year-old star won her first Oscar for her performance as a passionate artist in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.The 34-year-old star won her first Oscar for her performance as a passionate artist in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
"Has anybody ever fainted here. I might be the first one," said Cruz, who was previously nominated in 2007."Has anybody ever fainted here. I might be the first one," said Cruz, who was previously nominated in 2007.
British film Slumdog Millionaire, from director Danny Boyle, is tipped to win the evening's top prize, best picture.British film Slumdog Millionaire, from director Danny Boyle, is tipped to win the evening's top prize, best picture.
British actress Kate Winslet is also expected to triumph, winning the best actress Oscar, while Mickey Rourke remains favourite to win best actor. Australian star Hugh Jackman, who is hosting the awards at the Kodak Theater, opened with a song medley paying tribute to Slumdog and all the best picture nominees.
Australian star Hugh Jackman, who is hosting the awards at the Kodak Theatre, opened with a song medley paying tribute to the best picture nominees. Cruz, who becomes the first Spanish actress to win an acting Oscar, dedicated her award "to all the actors from my country".
"Thank you Woody for trusting me with this beautiful character," she said.
Actors Freida Pinto and Dev Patel missed out on acting nominations
British screenwriter Simon Beaufoy won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for his work on Slumdog Millionaire.British screenwriter Simon Beaufoy won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for his work on Slumdog Millionaire.
"There are a few places I never imagined being... the moon, the South Pole, the Miss World podium and here," joked Beaufoy, previously best known for writing The Full Monty."There are a few places I never imagined being... the moon, the South Pole, the Miss World podium and here," joked Beaufoy, previously best known for writing The Full Monty.
He paid tribute to Vikas Swarup, the author of the novel Q & A on which the film was based, as well as the actors, producer Christian Colson and director Danny Boyle - whom he dubbed "the other two musketeers".He paid tribute to Vikas Swarup, the author of the novel Q & A on which the film was based, as well as the actors, producer Christian Colson and director Danny Boyle - whom he dubbed "the other two musketeers".
The movie, a rags-to-riches tale set in the slums of Mumbai, has been named best film by the producers', writers', actors' and directors' guilds in the US.The movie, a rags-to-riches tale set in the slums of Mumbai, has been named best film by the producers', writers', actors' and directors' guilds in the US.
Boyle has attributed the film's popularity to people's desire "to root for the underdog". Emotional tribute
Dustin Lance Black won best original screenplay for Milk, and paid emotional tribute to the gay rights activist Harvey Milk.Dustin Lance Black won best original screenplay for Milk, and paid emotional tribute to the gay rights activist Harvey Milk.
"I heard the story of Harvey Milk and it gave me hope ... one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married."
As anticipated, the Oscar for best animated feature went to robot comedy Wall-E.As anticipated, the Oscar for best animated feature went to robot comedy Wall-E.
Actors Freida Pinto and Dev Patel missed out on acting nominations The film, directed by Andrew Stanton, is almost entirely free of dialogue.
Boyle will battle it out with David Fincher for the best director Oscar, alongside fellow contenders Ron Howard, Stephen Daldry and Gus Van Sant. Actor Mickey Rourke is tipped to win for his performance in The Wrestler
British actress Kate Winslet, nominated for the sixth time, is also expected to triumph on Sunday, winning the best actress Oscar.
Winslet's strongest competition comes from Meryl Streep, for her role as a nun who suspects sex abuse in Doubt.
Host Jackman paid tribute to Streep's record 15 nominations, deadpanning "you know what 15 nominations makes me think... steroids!"
Actor Mickey Rourke is favourite for the best actor gong, following wins at the Baftas, the Golden Globes and Saturday's Independent Spirit Awards.
Sean Penn remains his closest rival for his role as gay rights activist Harvey Milk in the eponymous Milk.
Nominations record
Danny Boyle will battle it out with David Fincher for the best director Oscar, alongside fellow contenders Ron Howard, Stephen Daldry and Gus Van Sant.
Fincher, best known for Se7en and Fight Club, is nominated for his work on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which leads the field with 13 nominations including best picture.Fincher, best known for Se7en and Fight Club, is nominated for his work on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which leads the field with 13 nominations including best picture.
The film, which stars Pitt as a man who ages backwards, has had the most box office success - taking $242m (£169m) worldwide - but Academy voters will not necessarily see this as a reason to win.The film, which stars Pitt as a man who ages backwards, has had the most box office success - taking $242m (£169m) worldwide - but Academy voters will not necessarily see this as a reason to win.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are both nominated in the top acting categoriesAngelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are both nominated in the top acting categories
Other titles in the running for the main prize include The Reader, Milk and Frost/Nixon.Other titles in the running for the main prize include The Reader, Milk and Frost/Nixon.
Winslet's strongest competition comes from Meryl Streep, for her role as a nun who suspects sex abuse in Doubt, while Penn remains Rourke's closest rival for his role as gay rights activist Harvey Milk in the eponymous Milk.
Heath Ledger, who died in 2008 of an accidental prescription drug overdose, is favoured for best supporting actor after his scene-stealing performance as the Joker in Batman movie The Dark Knight.Heath Ledger, who died in 2008 of an accidental prescription drug overdose, is favoured for best supporting actor after his scene-stealing performance as the Joker in Batman movie The Dark Knight.
Show secrets Organisers are hopingto claw back the ceremony's TV audience, promising a few surprises.
Details of this year's ceremony have been kept firmly under wraps as organisers try to claw back the ceremony's TV audience.
Actor Mickey Rourke is tipped to win for his performance in The Wrestler
Last year's event watched by just 32m viewers in the US, down from 40m in 2007 and the lowest figure since 1974, when the current ratings system began.Last year's event watched by just 32m viewers in the US, down from 40m in 2007 and the lowest figure since 1974, when the current ratings system began.
Producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon, who worked on Oscar-winning musical Dreamgirls, have promised sweeping format changes, and generally kept journalists and cameras away from the rehearsals.
The show's grandiose set has been drastically revamped. "It's more like the nightclub of your dreams," Jackman said.
"It's very intimate. It's got to be a lot closer."