Ace Brit drama Atonement staggered off with an armful of awards as the UK’s regional film journalists named their best of the year at The Richard Attenborough Film Awards 2008.
Joe Wright’s adap of Ian McEwan’s novel was declared Film Of The Year and James McAvoy took the spotlight from Oscar-nommed co-star Keira Knightley, winning the Richard Attenborough Film Award for his terrific lead performance.
“Atonement was an emotional and a physical film to work on,” said a chuffed McAvoy. “So often films like Atonement don’t get meaningful nationwide releases and I’m so glad to see it’s been enjoyed throughout Britain.”
And the gongs didn’t stop coming, with director Wright also scored the Filmmaker of the year award and Christopher Hampton taking Screenwriter Of The Year.
Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull star Cate Blanchett was named Actress Of The Year for Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Control’s Sam Riley won Rising Star Of 2008.
