"The Artist" and Jean Dujardin Triumph at Oscar

Released in France in 2011, the silent film in black and white'' tells the story of George Valentin, a silent movie star faces the arrival of talkies in the late 1920s.

Named best actor for his portrayal of George Valentin, Jean Dujardin became the first French to win an Oscar for a leading role since the inception of the trophy in 1927.

"I love your country", he said, in English, two days after being left empty-handed from the ceremony of Caesar in Paris. "If George Valentin could speak, he would say: 'Damn, awesome, thank you, great.'"

Earlier, Michel Hazanavicius joined the exclusive club of the French in Hollywood rewarded by winning the Oscar for best director.

"I am the director of the happier world," he told Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and George Clooney. He becomes the second French to win the statuette after the Franco-Polish Polanski sacred in 2003 for "The Pianist".

"The Artist", which was the favorite in Los Angeles with 10 nominations, also wins trophies for best costumes and best original music.

The Oscar for Best Actress was awarded to the American Meryl Streep for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady" ("The Iron Lady").

"When I heard my name, I thought that half of the United States had to say: 'Again it!" Said Meryl Streep, already in 1983 voted best actress for her role in "Sophie's Choice ".

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Another favorite of the ceremony with 11 nominations, "Hugo Cabret" by Martin Scorsese, leaves with five trophies including the Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, mixing and better special effects.

The other favorite "The Descendants" had to settle for a statuette of "Best Adapted Screenplay".

The Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for his part has been assigned to Octavia Spencer for his role in "The color of emotion".

Adapted from Kathryn Stockett bestseller, this film traces the lives of several black servants in Mississippi in the 1960s. This is the first American actress Oscar for 39 years.

The Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role went back to Christopher Plummer for his portrayal of a gay man who makes his coming-out to 75 years in "Beginners". At 82, the Canadiens became the oldest actor to win an Oscar. 
"You're only two years older than me. Where have you been all my life?", he said, addressing the statuette.

The Iranian film "A Separation" by Asghar Farhadi won the Oscar for best foreign film. Through his painting of a couple in crisis, Farhadi explores the social divisions of Iran's religious conservatism and its judicial system while maintaining the tension of a thriller.

"I am proud to offer this Oscar to my people, a people that respects all cultures and civilizations and despise the hostility and resentment," said the director.