Vera Drake Sweeps London Critics' Circle Film Awards

Controversial movie VERA DRAKE swept the boards at last night's (09FEB05) LONDON CRITICS' CIRCLE FILM AWARDS - with honours bestowed upon actress IMELDA STAUNTON and director [Mike Leigh](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/mike-leigh).

The drama, about an illegal abortionist in 1950's London, won a total of five awards at London's Dorchester Hotel, including Best British Film, Best British Director and Best Actress.

Staunton beat off competition from [Nicole Kidman](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/nicole-kidman) to land her prestigious gong ahead of this month's (27FEB05) [Academy Awards](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/academy-of-motion-pictures-and-sciences).

American comedy SIDEWAYS was named Best Film, [Jamie Foxx](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/jamie-foxx) landed the Best Actor award, Best British Actor was [Daniel Craig](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/daniel-craig) and the Best British Actress award was shared by [Kate Winslet](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/kate-winslet) and [Eva Birthistle](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/eva-birthistle).

[Martin Scorsese](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/martin-scorsese) won Best Director for [The Aviator](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/the-aviator), with awards chairman [William Russell](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/william-russell) describing the biopic as "the work of a master film-maker who has handled the epic story of [Howard Hughes](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/howard-hughes) quite brilliantly".

A FOND KISS director [Ken Loach](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/ken-loach) received a special honour in recognition of his illustrious 40-year career.

10/02/2005 14:15