Daily News
News for 29 October 2009
London Film Festival hands out awards!

The 53rd London Film Festival had a good ol‘ knees–up last night to celebrate another job well done whilst handing out some gongs to the most well received films/performances of the last fortnight.

The award for Best Film was decided by an illustrious panel of stars including chair Anjelica Huston and fellow jurors John Akomfrah, Jarvis Cocker, Mathieu Kassovitz, Charlotte Rampling and Iain Softley. The Star of London for Best Film was awarded to Jacques Audiard‘s "A Prophet" and was personally presented to the director by Huston.

Huston dubbed the film; "A masterpiece: A Prophet has the ambition, purity of vision and clarity of purpose to make it an instant classic. With seamless and imaginative story–telling, superb performances and universal themes, Jacques Audiard has made a perfect film."

The jury also gave a special mention to John Hillcoat‘s "The Road", praising the film‘s breathtaking vision, extraordinary performances and profound political statement.

Meanwhile "Mamma Mia!" star Dominic Cooper and "Good‘s" Jodie Whittaker presented the Best British Newcomer Star of London to Jack Thorne, screenwriter of the film "The Scouting Book For Boys". The jury said: "Jack Thorne is a poetic writer with an end–of–the–world imagination and a real gift for story–telling. Thorne‘s substantial authorship is revealed in the unique voices of the film‘s characters and the rich, soulful and playful layering of the story."

As ever, the showpiece of the night was the BFI Fellowship Award and this year the esteemed recipients were John Hurt and filmmaker Souleymane Cisse. Hurt, whose films "44 Inch Chest" and "The Limits Of Control", were featured in the festival, received his award from producer Jeremy Thomas and director Michael Caton–Jones both of whom have worked with Hurt on a number of films. Cisse‘s "Tell Me Who You Are" had its UK premiere at the festival this week and his award was presented to him by actress Charlotte Rampling.
Jessica Biel Engages in the nasty!

At approximately 07:30 GMT the internet slowed to within an inch of its life. Why? Well, The Hollywood Reporter contributed to the web‘s near downfall by releasing the news that Jessica Biel, the current star of "The A–Team" and former Mrs. Timberlake, is set to star in comedy ‘romp‘ "F***ing Engaged".

The lithe star will headline debutant director Julia Brownell‘s story about a young couple who vow to have sex every day leading up to their wedding in a desperate bid not to turn into their crusty, buttoned–up parents.

Glen Basner and Aaron Ryder of FilmNation Entertainment ("The Road") are financing and producing. Brownell developed the script with producers Dan Halsted ("Garden State") and Cameron Bunce.