French Thriller Scoops Eight Cesars

French movie DE BATTRE MON COEUR S'EST ARRETE (The Beat That My Heart Skipped) scooped eight gongs at France's film award ceremony the Cesars last night (25FEB06).

The film won honours in categories including Best Director for Jacques Audiard and Best Movie.

Clint Eastwood movie Million Dollar Baby won Best Foreign Film, while critically acclaimed March of the Penguins missed out on a Best Documentary award, bagging a technical nod for Best Sound instead.

Meanwhile, foppish British star Hugh Grant was awarded an honorary Cesar for his body of work - even though, he quipped, he tends to play himself in every movie he stars in.

He told the audience (in French), "Despite that, you've given me this great honour, I don't win a lot of prizes - especially at home. Thank you France."