The film won the awards for best director (Ang Lee), best foreign film, best film music (Tan Dun) and best costume design (Tim Yip).

Roman epic Gladiator won five Baftas, while British film "Billy Elliot" star Jamie Bell and Julia Roberts won the awards for best actor and actress.

Ridley Scott's gladiatorial drama took the top prize of best film, as well as cinematography, production design, editing and the Orange audience vote for best film.

Julia Roberts, unable to attend the ceremony, won best actress for her performance as a single mother battling the odds in Erin Brockovich.

Billy Elliot, about a young boy's struggle to become a dancer, has further two awards for outstanding British film of the year and best supporting actress for Julie Walters.

The glittering event, in London's west end, attracted many A-list stars, including Cast Away star Tom Hanks, Juliette Binoche up for best actress in Chocolat, and Gladiator stars Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.

(Xinhua 02/26/2001)