A story of optimism in the midst of hardship and foulness in Mumbai, "Slumdog Millionaire" took home eight Oscar statuettes, including best picture and best director for the film’s recognized helmer, Danny Boyle.

 

The low-budget movie served as a combination of India’s Bollywood film industry, which offered the majority of the cast and crew, and the worldwide promotion extent of Hollywood, which managed to transform the production into a viable hit, explained British director Danny Boyle.

 

Sean Penn was awarded with his second best actor Oscar last night for his performance in the outstanding biopic “Milk,” while Kate Winslet won best actress for her role in “The Reader,” in which she impersonates an ex concentration camp guard facing the lack of knowledge and unawareness that allowed her to take part in the Nazi acts of violence.

 

In addition, Heath Ledger became the second actor to win an Oscar posthumously, receiving the best supporting actor prize for his performance as the villainous Joker in last summer’s Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” Penelope Cruz established a record herself, as last night marked the first time a Spanish actress won an Oscar. She received the award for best supporting actress for her role in Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”