Atonement took the best film award at the Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), but the Edith Piaf biopic La Vie en Rose, dominated the ceremony with four awards including the best actress prize for Marion Cotillard.

Keira Knightley stars in Atonement, an adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel of the same name. Joe Wright, director of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, is the one that decided to take to the big screen the love story between Cecilia, played by Keira, and Robbie, interpreted by James McAvoy. The story begins on a hot day of the summer of 1935, at the English country estate of the Tallis family. Leon (Patrick Kennedy), the oldest son, is making a visit and the household prepares for his arrival.

Director Joe Wright admitted that initially he wanted Keira for the role of Cecilia’s sister, Briony, at the age of 18, but after seeing her at the premiere of “Pride and Prejudice” in Toronto, in a Roland Moiouret dress, he changed his mind, and thought she was perfect for the role.

Keira confessed that for this role she dived in Ian McEwan’s novel and analyzed every detail that could give her an idea of Cecilia’ personality, from her addiction of nicotine, filled ashtrays, books half-read and cups with lipstick strains on them.”

La Vie En Rose, depicting the life of French singer Edith Piaf, got the best actress prize for Marion Cotillard, the best music prize, best costume design prize and best make-up and hair prize. The drama is suggestively (and ironically) named La Vie en Rose and follows Piaf from the brothel where she was abandoned by her parents to her rise and fall.

Other coveted awards went to the Coen Brothers, best director for their No Country For Old Men and to Daniel Day-Lewis, best actor for his role in There Will Be Blood.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards were first awarded in 1947. Their prizes are sculptures n the form of a theatrical mask designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe.