London 2009: Dominic Cooper, Bruno Dumont, Julie Sokolowski

Dominic Cooper kisses director Lone Scherfig at the premiere of An Education during the Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival at the Vue West End on October 20.

Director Bruno Dumont and actress Julie Sokolowski arrive for the premiere of the widely praised religious-fanaticism drama Hadewijch, winner of the International Film Critics’ award at the 2009 Toronto Film Festival, during the Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival at the Vue West End on October 20.

Bruno Dumont
Photos: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

2009 Toronto Film Festival Winners

Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (top photo); Lee Daniels

The bizarrely titled Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, formerly known as Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire, was the Audience Award winner at the 2009 Toronto Film Festival. The Toronto win, which follows widespread critical acclaim and a couple of Sundance awards earlier in the year, has pushed Precious to the forefront of likely Oscar contenders come February 2010. (Last year’s Toronto winner and critics’ favorite, Slumdog Millionaire, eventually turned out to be the best picture Oscar winner.)
Directed by Lee Daniels, Precious tells the story of an overweight, illiterate, pregnant teenager (Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe) who is abused by her mother (Mo’Nique), [...]