'The Queen' Gets Four Golden Globe Nominations

'The Queen' Receives Four Nominations, including: Best Motion Picture (Drama) Helen Mirren for Best Performance by an Actress (Drama) Stephen Frears for Best Director of a Motion Picture Peter Morgan for Best Screenplay

'Venus' Honored with Nomination for Peter O'Toole for Best Performance by an Actor (Drama Chiwetel Ejiofor Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor (Musical or Comedy) for 'Kinky Boots'

'Hollywoodland*' Lauded with Nomination for Ben Affleck for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

When the nominations for the 64th Annual Golden Globe(R) nominations were announced today in Los Angeles by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Miramax Films as a company received an amazing seven overall nominations, including four for "The Queen," and one each for "Venus," "Kinky Boots" and "Hollywoodland."

"I am so grateful for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's recognition of our films. We are incredibly proud of the four nominations for 'The Queen' and that 'Venus,' 'Kinky Boots' and 'Hollywoodland' were also acknowledged," said Daniel Battsek, Miramax president.

"The Queen," an intimate, revealing and often humorous portrait of the British royal family in crisis immediately following the death of Princess Diana, received a nomination for Best Motion Picture (Drama). The film is produced by Andy Harries, Christine Langan and Tracey Seaward, and executive produced by Francois Ivernel, Cameron McCracken and Scott Rudin.

"It's a royal tour-de-force and everyone in London involved in the film is very thrilled. I thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association on behalf of the entire crew," said Andy Harries.

Previous Golden Globe Award-winner Helen Mirren received a trio of nominations this morning from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. In addition to her nomination for Best Performance by an Actress (Drama) for her role as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in "The Queen," Mirren was also tapped twice in the Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television category for her starring turn in HBO's "Elizabeth I" and for her recurring role as Detective Inspector Jane Tennison in the "Prime Suspect: The Final Act" series. She previously won a Golden Globe Award for the mini- series "Losing Chase" in 1997.

"I am extremely honored to be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for 'The Queen,' 'Elizabeth I' and 'Prime Suspect,'" said Mirren. "This has been an unprecedented year for me, and I am grateful to have had such well-written roles and to have worked with wonderful directors, actors and crews. I am amazed by the timeliness of 'The Queen,' a story about a leader out of touch with the people, and how the film has struck a chord with audiences, both British and American, and around the world. Likewise the roles of Elizabeth I and Jane Tennison are so very different from each other, but both are powerful, vulnerable and flawed women, and have a strong impact on audiences as well."

Stephen Frears, nominated for Best Director of a Motion Picture for "The Queen" previously received an Academy Award nomination for his film "The Grifters" in 1991.

"What an honor for all of us involved with 'The Queen.' I am truly delighted by the news," said Frears.

The screenplay for "The Queen" garnered BAFTA Award-winner Peter Morgan a Best Screenplay nomination.

"I am thrilled that a film I have written has been recognized in four such major categories by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and deeply flattered by the company I find myself in among the writers," said Peter Morgan. "The response to 'The Queen' around the world continues to amaze and startle me. I am going to have a very merry Christmas."

The Golden Globe nominations for "The Queen," are the latest in a series of honors the film has already received, including Best Actress awards for Helen Mirren from the Venice International Film Festival, the National Board of Review, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the San Francisco Film Critics Circle, the Washington Area Film Critics Association, the Boston Society of Film Critics; Best Screenplay awards for Peter Morgan from the Venice International Film Festival, the New York Film Critics Circle and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association; and a Best Supporting Actor award for Michael Sheen from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.

"Venus," the story of two veteran actors whose routine is disrupted by the arrival of a young woman into their lives, received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor (Drama), Peter O'Toole.

With this nomination for his portrayal of Maurice in "Venus," Peter O'Toole has received a total of ten Golden Globe nominations and has won the award three times ("Becket," 1964, "The Lion in Winter," 1969 and "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," 1970). He has also received seven Academy Award nominations and received an Honorary Academy Award in 2003.

"I am very pleased and honored to be nominated and I would like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association very much for thinking of me. I would also like to thank everyone who worked on 'Venus' as they share this honor with me," said Peter O'Toole.

Chiwetel Ejiofor received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Film (Musical or Comedy) for his starring role of Lola in "Kinky Boots." In addition to this nod, Ejiofor was also nominated today for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for his performance as Ian Carter in HBO's "Tsunami: The Aftermath."

"I am absolutely thrilled and stunned," said Chiwetel Ejiofor. "It's humbling to be nominated amongst such great company and for two projects that are so different. I'm honored to be recognized by the international community."

"Hollywoodland" a Miramax co-production with Focus Features, was honored with a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Ben Affleck. Affleck previously won a Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay for Miramax Films' "Good Will Hunting" which also garnered him an Academy Award in that category.

* "Hollywoodland" is a co-production with Focus Features For more information, please visit: www.miramaxhighlights.com

SOURCE Miramax Films