LONDON (AP) — Spies were taking on silent stars in London on Sunday, as espionage thriller “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” and mute movie “The Artist” faced off at the British Academy Film Awards.
“The Artist” has 12 nominations and “Tinker Tailor” 11 for Britain’s equivalent of the Oscars, with each up for best picture and director, leading men Jean Dujardin and Gary Oldman competing for best actor.
Bookies gave “The Artist” the edge, making the French film odds-on favorite to continue its awards-season success. It has already won three Golden Globes, and has 10 Oscar nominations.
Dujardin, who plays a silent screen icon eclipsed by the talkies, said the “The Artist”’s appeal lay in its accessibility.
“It’s a simple story,” he said. “It’s a love story. It’s universal. And there’s a cute dog” — Jack Russell terrier Uggie, who almost steals the film from his two-legged co-stars.
“The Artist” took an early lead, winning prizes for cinematography, costume design and for Ludovic Bource’s sprightly musical score, while “Tinker Tailor” was named the year’s best British film.
The evening’s
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