"The Artist" triumphs at Oscars, takes best picture and actor (Video)

PanARMENIAN.Net - Academy Awards voters have spoken up for "The Artist," the first silent film to triumph at Hollywood's highest honors since the original Oscar ceremony 83 years ago.

The black-and-white comic melodrama took four prizes Sunday, Feb 26, including best picture, actor for Jean Dujardin and director for Michel Hazanavicius. Not since the World War I saga "Wings" was named outstanding picture at the first Oscars in 1929 had a silent film earned the top prize, AP reports.

Scorsese's "Hugo," which had been considered "The Artist's" chief competition in recent weeks, snagged the most Oscars with five but all came in such technical categories as best art direction and best visual effects.

The other top Oscars went to Meryl Streep as best actress for "The Iron Lady," Octavia Spencer as supporting actress for "The Help" and Christopher Plummer as supporting actor for "Beginners."

Dujardin became the first French actor to win an Oscar, edging his nearest meaningful competition, George Clooney (nominated for “The Descendants”), in the leading actor category.

"I love your country," he said, accepting the award.

"A Separation," Asghar Farhadi's beautifully-written and acted film about life in Iran, became the first movie from that country to win an Oscar, taking the prize for best foreign language film.

Best documentary went to "Undefeated."