Oscar Aftermath

On an Oscars’ red carpet lined with celebrities, the youngest stars of “Slumdog Millionaire”, fresh from Mumbai, India, were the center of attention.
But inside the Kodak Theater, the film’s adults took center stage, 8 Oscars including best picture.

“Hopefully, if these mean anything, it’s that more of the great scripts that are out there, that don’t tickle the boxes in terms of stars and all the rest, can get made,“ said Slumdog producer Christopher Colson.

“Slumdog” won 8 of the 10 Oscars for which it was nominated including best director for Danny Boyle.

“It is a triumph for this kind of film really.  It is independent minded. And, it’s working against the odds really in a way,“ said Boyle.
It was Oscar number two for Sean Penn.

Best actor for his performance in “Milk”, playing slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk.

“That means a lot to myself and everyone involved, not only in the movie, but for anyone who believes in equal rights for human beings.  It’s pretty simple,“ Penn said.

Kate Winslet was a first time Oscar winner.

Best actress for her role in “The Reader”

A role helped make her childhood dreams a reality.

“I always knew that it was a dream, that it was a fantasy that would never happen and so, um, it’s sort of dawning on me now that I just won an Oscar,“ Winslet said.

Spanish star Penelope Cruz was another rookie Oscar winner.

She won best supporting actress in “Vicki Christina Barcelona”.

“I want to dedicate it to all the people that are watching there at home, and that are feeling that this also belongs to them,“ Cruz said. 

The night’s most poignant moment came as Heath Ledger’s family accepted his posthumous Oscar as best supporting actor in “The Dark Knight”.

“He was very proud of what he did, heath was never one to be over the top with anything, but I think he would be really quietly pleased that it’s been recognized by his peers,“ said Ledgers mom Sally Bell.

It was a night for honoring memories and creating new ones.