SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

NAMED 2008 BEST FILM OF THE YEAR
BY THE
NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW

TRUMBO wins the

100th Year of the NBR to kick-off celebration with the

Annual Gala hosted by Whoopi Goldberg  

New York, NY – December 4th, 2008 – The National Board of Review, celebrating its 100th year, named Slumdog Millionaire the 2008 Best Film of the Year.  Directed by Danny Boyle, this inspirational drama reflects back on the tumultuous life of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) while competing to win 20 million rupees on India’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. The film was released on November 12th by Fox Searchlight.

For Best Actor and Actress of 2008, the NBR honors two artists whose performances were exceptional and brave. The 2008 Best Actor, Clint Eastwood, was selected for his performance in Gran Torino.  For the 2008 Best Actress honor, the NBR has selected Anne Hathaway for her performance in Rachel Getting Married.

Below is a full list of the awards given by the National Board of Review: 

Best Film: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Best Director: DAVID FINCHER, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Actor: CLINT EASTWOOD, Gran Torino

Best Actress: ANNE HATHAWAY, Rachel Getting Married

Best Supporting Actor: JOSH BROLIN, Milk

Best Supporting Actress: PENELOPE CRUZ, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Foreign Language Film: MONGOL

Best Documentary: MAN ON WIRE

Best Animated Feature: WALL-E

Best Ensemble Cast: DOUBT

Breakthrough Performance by an Actor: DEV PATEL, Slumdog Millionaire

Breakthrough Performance by an Actress: VIOLA DAVIS, Doubt

Best Directorial Debut: COURTNEY HUNT, Frozen River

Best Original Screenplay: : NICK SCHENK, Gran Torino

Best Adapted Screenplay: SIMON BEAUFOY, Slumdog Millionaire and ERIC ROTH, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Spotlight Award: MELISSA LEO, Frozen River and RICHARD JENKINS, The Visitor

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2008

(in alphabetical order)

BURN AFTER READING

CHANGELING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

DEFIANCE

FROST/NIXON

GRAN TORINO

MILK
WALL-E

TOP FIVE FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS OF 2008
(in alphabetical order)

THE EDGE OF HEAVEN

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

ROMAN DE GARE

A SECRET

TOP FIVE DOCUMENTARIES OF 2008
(in alphabetical order)

AMERICAN TEEN

THE BETRAYAL (NERAKHOON)

DEAR ZACHARY

ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD

TOP INDEPENDENT FILMS OF 2008

(in alphabetical order)

FROZEN RIVER

IN BRUGES

IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS

MR. FOE

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

SNOW ANGELS

SON OF RAMBOW

WENDY AND LUCY

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

THE VISITOR

William K. Everson Film History Award – MOLLY HASKELL and ANDREW SARRIS

The BVLGARI Award for NBR Freedom of Expression – TRUMBO

“2008 was a very special year for film with diverse and wonderful storytelling and we are proud to honor these achievements. Several of the films from our Top 10 list, along with our Best Film of the Year, share the universal message about the resilience and the strength of the human spirit. Slumdog Millionaire, with brilliant direction by Danny Boyle and incredible performances, shares a passionate story about one man's courage and determination for the woman he loves," said NBR President Annie Schulhof. “The NBR is so thrilled to launch our Centennial celebration with a gala hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. We are looking forward to celebrating with all our honorees.”

This year the NBR screened over 330 films – 209 narratives, 63 documentaries, 53 foreign language films and 10 animated films. The NBR, founded on January 25th, 1909, was originally founded as an anti-censorship organization and continues to honor excellence and freedom of expression in filmmaking today. The 122 members include knowledgeable film buffs, academics, professionals and historians.  This year’s membership includes 41 young voices from both students and filmmakers.  Many of these members are past recipients of the NBR student grant program which enables students and young filmmakers to finish their projects and exhibit their work.

“We are thrilled to be NBR’s partner for the third year in a row,” said Nicola Bulgari, Vice Chairman of the Bulgari Group. “It is particularly an honor to be involved during their 100 year anniversary.  Coincidentally 2009 is Bulgari’s 125 year anniversary.  So we share this milestone with great pride and joy, honoring the freedom of expression in cinema together.”

The 2008 NBR Awards, in partnership with BVLGARI, will be presented at the annual gala on January 14th, 2009 at Cipriani’s 42nd St. in New York City.  Once again, the accounting firm of Lutz & Carr tabulated the actual ballots.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW:

For over 99 years the National Board of Review has dedicated its efforts to the support of film, domestic and foreign, as both art and entertainment. Our nonprofit organization celebrates the distinctive voice of the individual artist, honoring excellence and supporting freedom of expression in film. The Board's core activities include fostering commentary on all aspects of film production, as well as underwriting educational film programs and seminars for film students. In 2008, the NBR expanded its student grant giving to ten schools, and reached out to the community through the Children’s Aid Society.

NBR members annually view approximately 300 films: theatrical, independent, and major studio, documentary and foreign language. The screening membership comprises film professionals, educators, students, and historians. Frequently, in-depth discussions with filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, or screenwriters follow screenings. At year's end, members receive a list of all films screened, along with final ballots, which are tallied by the awards committee in order to determine annual honorees. The organization works to foster commentary on all aspects of film production, to endow scholarships for film students and to underwrite educational film programs and seminars.  For more information on the National Board of Review, please visit www.nbrmp.org.

Contact:
Rubenstein Communications, Inc.
Nicole Quenqua Adler (212-843-8288),

nqadler@rubenstein.com

Susie Arons (212-843-8033)

sarons@rubenstein.com

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