European Film Awards

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Winner: European Film Alexandre Desplat for European Composer Roman Polanski, Robert Harris for European Screenwriter Roman Polanski for European Director Albrecht Konrad for European Production Designer Ewan McGregor for European Actor

Nominations: European Film Roman Polanski for European Director Albrecht Konrad for European Production Designer Roman Polanski, Robert Harris for European Screenwriter Alexandre Desplat for European Composer Ewan McGregor for European Actor Hervé de Luze for European Editor

The Ghost Writer France, Germany, UK (128 min.) Synopsis When a successful British ghost writer, The Ghost, agrees to complete the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang, his agent assures him it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. But the project seems doomed from the start - not least because his predecessor on the project, Lang’s long-term aide, died in an unfortunate accident. The Ghost flies out to work on the project, in the middle of winter, in an oceanfront house on an island off the US Eastern seaboard. But the day after he arrives, a former British cabinet minister accuses Lang of authorizing the illegal seizure of suspected terrorists and handing them over for torture by the CIA—a war crime. The controversy brings reporters and protesters swarming to the island mansion where Lang is staying with his wife, Ruth, and his personal assistant (and mistress), Amelia. As The Ghost works, he begins to uncover clues suggesting his predecessor may have stumbled on a dark secret linking Lang to the CIA—and that somehow this information is hidden in the manuscript he left behind. Was Lang in the service of the American intelligence agency while he was prime minister? And was The Ghost’s predecessor murdered because of the appalling truth he uncovered? Resonating with topical themes, this atmospheric and suspenseful political thriller is a story of deceit and betrayal on every level – sexual, political and literary. In a world in which nothing, and no one, is as it seems, The Ghost quickly discovers that the past can be deadly -- and that history is decided by whoever stays alive to write it.

Film Details Director: Roman Polanski Screenwriter: Roman Polanski, Robert Harris Producer: Roman Polanski, Robert Benmussa, Alain Sarde Director of Photography: Pawel Edelman Main cast: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson

Ewan McGregor 'Ghost Writer'

Roman Polanski's 'Ghost Writer' Tops European Film Awards

Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer" was the big winner at Saturday's European Film Awards, where it won awards for Best European Film, Best European Director and Best European Actor (Ewan McGregor), as well as receiving honors for its screenplay, music and production design.

Polanski's political thriller is considered a longshot in the Oscar race, but its six wins at the ceremony in Tallinn, Estonia far outpaced "Lebanon," which won two awards. No other film won more than one.

The show was hosted by German comedian Anke Engelke and Estonian actor Mart Avandi.

The winners:

European Film: "The Ghost Writer" European Film Academy Animated Feature Film: "The Illusionist" European Film Academy Documentary – Prix Arte: "Nostalgia De La Luz" ("Nostalgia for the Light") European Director: Roman Polanski, "The Ghost Writer" European Actor: Ewan McGregor, "The Ghost Writer" European Actress: Sylvie Testud, "Lourdes" European Screenwriter: Robert Harris and Roman Polanski, "The Ghost Writer" European Editor: Luc Barnier and Marioin Monnier, "Carlos" European Composer: Alexandre Desplat, "The Ghost Writer" Carlo Di Palma European Cinematographer Award: Giora Bejach, "Lebanon" European Production Designer: Albrecht Konrad, "The Ghost Writer" European Discovery – Prix Fipresci: "Lebanon" The People's Choice Award for Best European Film: "Mr. Nobody" European Achievement in World Cinema: Gabriel Yared European Film Academy Short Film: "Hanoi – Warszawa" ("Hanoi – Warsaw") European Co-Production Award – Prix Eurimages: Zeynep Ozbatur Atakan European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award: Bruno Ganz