14 DAY TRIAL // The surprise winner at the 2012 Academy Awards was “The Artist,” which is not only a French film, but it's also silent and in black and white. Jean Dujardin also won his first Oscar for Best Actor.
Video of his acceptance speech in full is below, including the presentations preceding it, as delivered by the always stunning Natalie Portman, who was honored at last year's awards show for her role in “Black Swan.”
Dujardin, who needed a translator for Portman's introduction, clearly didn't expect to win, though he too, like any other nominee, had prepared a speech just in case.
However, this made the few moments he got on stage all the more interesting, making his speech feel fresh, not rehearses, a much welcome change.
“Thank you! Oui! I love your country!” the handsome star gushed as he took to the stage to accept his award.
“Thank you to the Academy. It's funny because in 1929 it wasn't Billy Crystal, but Douglas Fairbanks who hosted the first Oscar ceremony. Tickets cost five dollars and it lasted 15 minutes. Times have changed. So, thank you Douglas Fairbanks,” Dujardin added.
The actor also thanked the cast and crew working on “The Artist,” his collaborators and, last but not least, his wife and family.
To round up his beautiful speech, he also made a reference to his character in the critically acclaimed film, which offered him the perfect opportunity to say a few words in his native tongue as well.
“If George Valentin could speak, he’d say… 'Merci beaucoup, formidable!'” he screamed, right before leaving the stage.
Best Actor is just one of the five awards that “The Artist” won on Hollywood's biggest night. As we also informed you earlier today, it also won Best Movie, Best Director, Best Original Score and Best Costume Design.
