And the Oscar goes to...

The Academy Awards Ceremony last night at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles had plenty of surprises in store but, nevertheless, the greatest winners were expected.
Yes, "The King's Speech" won a total of 4 Oscars:  for Best Picture, Best Actor, Original Screenplay and for Directing.
Have a look at this. Here you'll find stunning opening montages for the several moments at the Oscar ceremony starting with the co-hosts - Anne Hathaway and James Franco. It's also packed with celebrity pictures ;) It is very well done!

I told you in previous blogposts how much I had appreciated "The King's Speech" and therefore decided to read something more about it - about the real King George VI, speech therapy, about stuttering and came across loads of information, really.

The exact causes of stuttering remain mysterious though many suggest it is connected with neurological problems. In this case, in "The King's Speech", we become aware that Bertie was left-handed and forced to use his right hand and also that from an early age he was forced to wear corrective splints for his knees. He was not born that way; he started stuttering around 4 / 5.
Stuttering though hasn't stopped George VI from becoming a king or some of the biggest names in many areas. If you click here, besides finding help for those who suffer from stuttering or have to deal with stutterers (including parents and teachers), you'll find famous people who have overcome stutter. The fallen golfer, Tiger Woods, overcame a childhood stutter; Marilyn Monroe, Charles Darwin and Lewis Carroll are among the many who had stutters. Please have a look:

It was indeed a royal night for stutterers at the Oscars with "The King's Speech". David Seidler, now 73 and a man who overcame a debilitating stutter as a child, put it nicely while accepting his Oscar on behalf of all the stutterers in the world: "We have a voice. We have been heard".

THE KING'S SPEECH

Image Credit: The Stuttering Foundation

A great film, I hope!!!

Directed by Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler, the film stars, among others, Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena B. Carter who have already been awarded for their extraordinary performances though the ultimate recognition is yet to come: the Oscars!!!

After the death of his father King George V (Michael Gambon) and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) to marry an American divorcée, Bertie (Colin Firth) who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall), the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle.

Based on the true story of King George VI, THE KING'S SPEECH follows the Royal Monarch's quest to find his voice. (Source: http://kingsspeech.com/about.html)

In some days, I'll let you know my feelings and views about the film; just hope adult learners and the participating teachers can also do the same :) By now, let's watch the trailer, shall we?

What about YOU? Have YOU been to the movies yet? Did you like this film nominated for 12 Oscars? If you haven't watched THE KING'S SPEECH yet, are your expectations as high as mine???
I'd love to hear your thoughts...