HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - In a town where style often trumps substance, things were different Sunday, as the importance of duty was highlighted with the triumph of "The King's Speech."
The period drama, in which King George VI unexpectedly assumes the thrown and must lead during war, garnered four Academy Awards. The film took best picture (producers Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin), director (Tom Hooper), actor (Colin Firth) and original screenplay (David Seidler).
Joining Hollywood royalty alongside the "The King's Speech" winners was Natalie Portman, who secured the lead actress Oscar for her role as an obsessed, delusional ballerina in "Black Swan." She and other winners recognized service members during press interviews backstage.
"For troops, we just hope they are safe and we have peace soon so that they can come home to their families," said the expectant mother, whose purple gown flowed over her baby bump.
Hooper spoke of overcoming one's greatest fears, as King George VI did when he sought help for his severe stammer and ultimately gave the now-famous speech upon entering World War II.
"I think what the film is saying is sometimes the way to conquer your fears is not by turning into yourself, it's about turning out to others," said the director. "It's looking to those around you, finding that friendship in your team that allows you to share your burden, and I think the military have a great tradition of understanding that it is often through the group that you find power."
The power of a group was certainly displayed by the producers of the film who stood together to speak on the theme of duty.
"I think there's something in this movie about sense of duty and the sort of duty that comes with the crown," said Sherman, an Australian. He added that people have responded "very deeply to this quite old fashioned notion of duty, which really the world has partly forgotten."
Unwin commented on the role of the royal family as well. "In dark times we always need leaders and sometimes they're elected and sometimes they find that leadership through heritage," said the Brit. "What we've done is put a spotlight on the family that has served our country well for many, many years and maybe people draw inspiration from that."
Earlier in the festivities, a joint forces team of public affairs specialists took position on the red carpet snapping photos and capturing footage of celebrity shout-outs to service members. The team also interviewed soldiers from "Restrepo," which was nominated for best documentary, although it didn't take home top prize. The film chronicles a platoon from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team over their deployment in the infamous Korengal valley in Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Aron J. Hijar and Sgt. Misha C. Pemble-Belkin joined filmmakers Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington on the red carpet. Hijar had a personal message to all of his fellow military members.
"To all of you guys out there right now - we haven't forgotten about you; to those of us that can't be here - we remember you; and to those of us to the left and right - take care of each other."
The other major honors went to Melissa Leo for her bellicose portrayal of Alice Ward and to Christian Bale for his frenzied Dicky Eklund. Both Oscars were for supporting performances in "The Fighter," accounting for the film's two awards on the night. Other movies with multiple wins were "Inception" with four, which dominated in the technical categories; "The Social Network" with three, including adapted screenplay for Aaron Sorkin, and original score for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross; "Toy Story 3" with two, including its lock on the animated feature category; and "Alice in Wonderland," which nabbed two for art direction and costume.
Perhaps Seidler, who struggled with stuttering himself, particularly in his youth, best summed up the theme of duty. He explained that King George VI was a "fragile man" who "wasn't really suited to be king." Yet, he phenomenally rose to the occasion when his brother, Edward, abdicated the thrown.
"One of the themes of the film is the social contract, by which I mean with privilege and position and wealth comes responsibility and duty, and Bertie (King George VI) really understood that," said Seidler. "His brother did not."
Seidler went on, plainly reaching out to members of the armed forces.
"When his brother let the nation down, he (King George VI) knew it was his duty to try to make up for this," he said. "He bellied up to the bar and he delivered, just the way you guys do."
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