The Artist steals the show at the Oscars

MERYL Streep picked up the third Oscar of her career today on a night when Hollywood made a big noise about a silent film.

The Artist – a tribute to the world of black and white silent cinema that disappeared with the arrival of sound – won five awards including best picture, best actor and director.

Its director Michel Hazanavicius paid tribute to his wife – and one of the film’s stars – Berenice Bejo, who lost out on the supporting actress award to Octavia Spencer.

He said: “You inspired the movie and you’re the soul of the movie and the positive feeling of the movie.

“Thank you for being in the movie and in my life.”

The best actress Oscar was presented by Colin Firth to Meryl, who he described as “unreasonably good” in her role as former prime minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. The actress described it as “a great honour”.

Christopher Plummer and Octavia Spencer picked up the supporting actor and actress gongs.

Natalie Portman presented the best actor award to Jean Dujardin for The Artist.

The French star said: “I love your country”, and thanked Douglas Fairbanks jun for inspiring his role as the silent film hero. The Artist also took awards for costume design and original score.

Another ode to old Hollywood, Martin Scorsese’s 3D Hugo, also picked up five awards but in technical categories including cinematography and art direction.