Control Wins BIG at British Independent Awards

uk.reuters.com
Anton Corbijn's "Control" was the big winner at Wednesday night's British Independent Film Awards, walking off with best movie, director and a pair of actor awards.

Corbijn's black-and-white film, based on the short life of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, scooped a total of five awards, including the evening's big two: best British independent film and best director.

Corbijn's biopic exorcised the threat of "Eastern Promises," "And When Did You Last See Your Father," "Hallam Foe" and "Notes on a Scandal" to secure the evening's best picture nod.

Corbijn beat Anand Tucker ("And When Did You"), Sarah Gavron ("Brick Lane"), David Cronenberg ("Eastern Promises") and David Mackenzie ("Hallam Foe") to the punch as best director.

The Dutch director also secured the Douglas Hickox Award for best debut director for his film.

The movie's Sam Riley earned the most promising newcomer nod for his turn as the enigmatic singer-songwriter, who committed suicide at age 23, just as his band began breaking into the big time.

Best supporting actor went to Tony Kebbell for his swaggering interpretation of Joy Division band manager Rob Gretton. Kebbell was nominated for a best newcomer BIFA in 2004 for his role in "Dead Man's Shoes."

Viggo Mortensen's performance in Cronenberg's "Promises," which includes an infamous naked knife fight in a sauna, secured best actor honours, while Judi Dench earned the best actress nod for her barnstorming turn as a jealous, lonely teacher who resorts to blackmail to keep a friendship in "Notes on a Scandal."

Writer Patrick Marber secured the screenplay award for "Notes on a Scandal."

The winners of the 10th annual BIFAs also included a best documentary award for Julien Temple's "Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten."

BIFA organizers noted that the awards -- presented at the Roundhouse in London for the first time in the event's 10-year history -- have grown "to celebrate the increasingly diverse range of talent out there."

This year's Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film went to Ray Winstone.

The winners were chosen by a jury composed of veteran industry executives, filmmakers and actors.