Roman Polanski’s thriller about a young author, hired to ghost write a former prime minister’s memoirs, has taken six prizes at the European Film Awards.
At a ceremony in Estonia, The Ghost – or The Ghost Writer, as it is known internationally – won the Best Film award, as well as a Best Director prize for Polanski. The director also won the screenplay award along with the writer Robert Harris, whose book provided the source material – based, some suggest, on a former friend of his – another former Prime Minister with close ties to the US, Tony Blair.
Ewan McGregor, who played the eponymous writer, picked up the Best Actor trophy. The film was also honoured for its score and production design.
The French actress Sylvie Testud was voted the Best Actress for her role in the religious drama Lourdes.
The European Film Academy gave its Best Cinematography award to the Israeli film Lebanon, which was confined to a tank. The editing honours went to the Carlos The Jackal biopic and The Illusionist was the Best Animated feature.
The actor Bruno Ganz, best known internationally for playing Hitler in Downfall, was given a Lifetime achievement award.