From Biographies to Musicals!

This year's standout films were "Argo," which won Best Picture, and "Life of Pi," which won Best Director. "Argo" is a talked-about film directed by and starring actor Ben Affleck. Taiwanese director Ang Lee once again won the Academy Award for Best Director for "Life of Pi." Actress Anne Hathaway, who appeared in "Les Misérables," also achieved her first Oscar win. This year's Academy Awards saw a result where excellent films were honestly evaluated, regardless of genre.

Courtesy of Warner Bros./Claire Folger

Best Picture

Argo

Country of Production: USA

Director: Ben Affleck

Now Showing



A non-fiction film directed by and starring actor Ben Affleck

The hostage crisis at the American embassy in Iran, which shook the world, occurred on November 4, 1979. However, the truth behind this incident remained shrouded in mystery. A full 18 years after the incident, the unprecedented hostage rescue operation was first revealed to the public when then-U.S. President Bill Clinton declassified the information. Ben Affleck, who directed and starred in the 2010 film "The Town," and producer George Clooney, have made a film of the entire operation.

In Iran, swept by revolutionary fervor, extremists attacked the American embassy and took embassy staff hostage. Their demand was the handover of the former Shah, who had been overthrown and admitted to the United States after committing all sorts of atrocities. Amidst the chaos, six embassy staff members escaped through a back door. They took refuge at the Canadian ambassador's residence, but if discovered, not only their lives but also the lives of their colleagues still held hostage would be in danger. To break through this desperate situation, they sought help from CIA agent Tony Mendez.

Mendez's "brilliant idea" was to plan a fake movie and have the six people leave the country as film crew members on a location scout. Mendez deceived not only Iran but also the U.S. government, enlisting the help of top special effects artist John Chambers and a producer to begin the Hollywood operation with a 72-hour time limit. Amidst the tense situation, an order came from the CIA to abort the mission. What would be the fate of the six lives?

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Courtesy of Walt Disney20th/Century Fox David James

Best Actor

Daniel Day-Lewis
Lincoln

Country of Production: USA

Director: Steven Spielberg

Opens nationwide on Friday, April 19, 2013



First time in history! Third win for Best Actor



The ability to make choices that look to the future when faced with decisions that greatly impact society——that is what determines leadership. In January 1865, one man faced that moment of decision. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.

How to pass the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which opens the way for people to be free, through Congress and how to end the tragic civil war. While tormented by the pain of sending young men to their deaths, he must establish human freedom. Lincoln uses his wisdom, courage, and unyielding fighting spirit to achieve these two objectives, wrestling with his conscience. His aspect of using any means necessary to pursue his ideals, and his struggles with his wife and children, which have not been widely told, are brought to light through the masterful storytelling of Steven Spielberg, a giant of American cinema. It exudes the drama of a man who fought to the end, following his own beliefs, without fear of loneliness or misunderstanding.

Daniel Day-Lewis, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice for "My Left Foot" in 1989 and "There Will Be Blood" in 2007, embodied Lincoln, whose distinctive appearance we have all seen in history textbooks. He richly portrays an introspective man with restrained emotions.

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©Universal Pictures

Best Supporting Actress

Anne HathawayLes Misérables

Country of Production: USA

Director: Tom Hooper

Now Showing



Anne Hathaway finally wins her first award



"Les Misérables," which premiered in London in 1985 and has been performed continuously for 27 years, still holds the record for a long run. Translated into 21 languages in 43 countries worldwide, and having drawn an audience of over 60 million people, this work is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the world's most beloved musicals. As the title "Les Misérables" suggests, the stage's excitement and emotion, which have captivated people worldwide with the "true love" that the characters in dire circumstances uphold, have been made into a film on a grand scale with famous songs.

Jean Valjean, imprisoned for 19 years for stealing bread, is paroled but, unable to make a living, steals again. However, touched by the bishop's sincerity, who let his crime go unpunished, he resolves to be reborn in body and soul. He changes his name to Madeleine and becomes a successful factory owner. Javert, a police inspector who relentlessly pursues Valjean. And Fantine, a woman bound to him by a strange twist of fate. Entrusted with the future of her daughter Cosette by Fantine, Valjean evades Javert's pursuit and flees to Paris, where he showers Cosette with boundless love and raises her as his own daughter. Meanwhile, a rebellion by students aiming for revolution breaks out in the working-class districts of Paris, and everyone is swept up in the waves of upheaval.—.

Anne Hathaway plays Fantine, an unfortunate woman who was abandoned by her lover during pregnancy and worked in Valjean's factory to raise her daughter, but fell into prostitution due to hardship. She expresses the overwhelming emotions of a woman whose dreams have been shattered, set to the famous song "I Dreamed a Dream."

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Best Actress

Jennifer LawrenceSilver Linings Playbook

Country of Production: USA

Director: David O. Russell

Now Showing



Best Supporting Actor

Christoph Waltz, "Django Unchained"

Country of Production: USA

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Opens nationwide on Friday, March 1, 2013


Best Documentary Feature

Searching for Sugar Man

Country of Production: USA

Director: Malik Bendjelloul

Opens nationwide on Saturday, March 16, 2013

Best Foreign Language Film

Amour

Country of Production: Austria

Director: Michael Haneke

Opens nationwide on Saturday, March 9, 2013