BEVERLY HILLS, California, Jan 25 (AFP) - Britain on Tuesday led a foreign invasion of the Oscars, with two Britons winning best actress nominations and two others snagging nods for supporting actors.
Former "Titanic" star Kate Winslet was nominated for her leading role opposite Jim Carrey in the psychological twister "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," while Imelda Staunton scored a place in the same category for her wrenching role as an abortionist in "Vera Drake."
Winslet's nomination is her fourth, following a best actress nod for 1997's ship drama "Titanic" and best supporting actress Oscar shouts for "Iris" (2001) and "Sense and Sensibility" (1995).
The pair can feel at home among the 2005 nominees, as fellow Briton Clive Owen is nominated as best supporting actor for his role in the sexual intrigue "Closer," while the film's British maker, Mike Leigh scored a directing nod.
Best supporting actress nominee Sophie Okenedo is also a member of Hollywood's swelling "Brit pack," pulling off a nod for her role as Tatiana Rusesabagina in the genocide story "Hotel Rwanda."
The Australian and New Zealand invasion of the Oscars of previous years was thwarted this year, with only one high-profile antipodean nominee making the cut: Aussie Cate Blanchett, for her striking role as real-life screen legend Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator."
Among the other foreign nominees this year is 23-year-old Colombian actress Catalina Sandino Moreno, for her role as a narcotics mule in the Spanish-language drug-running story "Maria Full of Grace."
Some 25 foreign-language actors have been nominated for acting Oscars in the past 76 years of Academy Awards history, and only two have walked off with golden statuettes: Italians Sophia Loren in 1960's "Two Women," Roberto Benigni for 1997's "Life is Beautiful."
The best actress winners in the past two Academy Awards have both been foreigners: Australia's Nicole Kidman in 2003 and South African Charlize Theron last year.
01/25/2005 18:11 GMT - AFP