Academy Awards Nominees’ Statements

The Oscar nominations came out this morning? Â  Who knew? Â  Here, we have some statements straight from the nominees’ mouths.

Slumdog Millionaire

Christian Colson (Best Picture, producer) -  “It is wonderful to receive this amazing news here in Mumbai where we are premiering the movie tonight. All the film-makers are deeply proud of this recognition which we also hope will bring great joy to the people of this great city. A huge thank you to the Academy… and Jai Ho!†

Danny Boyle (Best Director) – “I’m ecstatic! Thank you to the Academy from the cast and crew here in Mumbai where the film was made and where it’s being premiered tonight. It feels like you’ve given us a billion nominations!†

Simon Beaufoy (Best Adapted Screenplay) – “Secretly and sometimes not so secretly, this is the nomination that floats in every screenwriter’s dreams. I am fantastically happy and honored- not just for myself but for Vikas Swarup’s wonderful novel without which I would have never started my journey to the world’s Maximum City, Mumbai.†

A.R. Rahman (Best Original Score/Best Original Song) -  Ã¢â‚¬Å“I am overjoyed by this nomination and deeply grateful that the Academy has embraced the music of this film. ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has paid magical dividends for so many people around the globe.   I am deeply honored to be a part of a film that has inspired so many.†

Dev Patel -  Ã¢â‚¬Å“It’s just amazing. For ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ to be included in the nominations for the Oscars is a huge honor. When we first began working on the film I don’t think any of us ever imagined that we might end up attending the Oscars ceremony as a result. I’m just so proud to be a part of this project and I have been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to the film. Thank you to everyone who has supported us. I truly feel blessed.†

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Brade Pitt (Best Actor) -  Ã¢â‚¬Å“This is a great honor for the movie, and I’m especially happy for David Fincher, for without him there would be no Ben Button.†

Taraji P. Henson (Best Supporting Actress) -Â  “I am very excited, deeply honored and grateful. I thank Laray Mayfield, David Fincher, Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy for giving me the opportunity to bring Queenie to life.

David Fincher (Best Director) -  “‘Benjamin Button’ was truly a labor of love and I am humbled by the nomination.   On behalf of the producers, cast and crew, I’d like to thank the Academy, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros and most of all the city of New Orleans who gave birth to Benjamin.”

  

The Visitor

Richard Jenkins (Best Actor) -  Ã¢â‚¬Å“This nomination is such an unexpected honor and I am grateful to the Academy for the recognition. I’ve been awed by the work of my fellow nominees this year and am truly humbled to be in their company. Having been an actor for many years now, I am moved by the fact that something like this can happen at this point in my career, particularly for a film that has meant so much to me.†

  

The Reader

Kate Winslet (Best Actress) -  Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m extremely happy to have been nominated. And very fortunate. Playing Hanna Schmitz will always remain one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever been blessed with. I’m genuinely thrilled not just for myself but for the wonderful Stephen Daldry and David Hare. These nominations are a testament to their unwavering commitment to this film. And I’m also very happy for all the people in Germany whose hard work on ‘The Reader’, has been rewarded by these nominations. Surely Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack are smiling down on us today!†

  

Wall*E

Andrew Stanton speaking on behalf of all of ‘Wall*E’s six nominations -  “We are ecstatic and grateful for the Academy’s generous and humbling recognition of ‘WALL†¢E.’ It is  an honor and privilege to make films at Pixar, where we have grown into a great, big family. This is a tribute to all of us at Pixar and Disney who do our best to make films, not just animated films, but films for everyone that just happen  to be animated.”