"Argo" gets top honour at SAG

Writer: Dzamira Dzafri

The cast of "Argo", with a very pleased Ben Affleck.

29 Jan – Despite being snubbed for a nomination for Best Director at this year's Oscars, Ben Affleck's acclaimed film about a secret mission to extract fugitives out of revolutionary Iran in the 80s has been getting a lot of praise and recognition from award shows this year, including the Producer's Guild and the Golden Globes, as well as the recent Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

"This has nothing to do with me," Affleck said in his acceptance speech, "It has to do with the incredible people who are in this movie."

Bryan Cranston, who stars in "Argo", had also received a SAG Award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for his role in television series "Breaking Bad".

The prize for Best Performance by Male Actor in a Leading Role was accepted by Daniel Day-Lewis, who portrays Lincoln in the Steven Spielberg-directed film with the same name that is amongst the frontrunners of this year's Academy Awards, along with "Argo".

Ben Affleck, Claire Danes, Daniel Day-Lewis and Jennifer Lawrence accepting their awards at the Screen Actors Guild yesterday.

Other strong Oscar contenders include Jennifer Lawrence of "Silver Linings Playbook" and Anne Hathaway of "Les Misérables", both of which won Best Performance by Female Actor in a Leading Role and Best Performance by Female Actor in a Supporting Role respectively. They had also previously won a Golden Globe award each earlier this year.

Tommy Lee Jones, who was not there to receive his award, won Best Performance by Male Actor for his role in "Lincoln".

Dick Van Dyke is all smiles after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.

But the night was not all about this year's best performances. The coveted Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Dick Van Dyke for eight incredible decades in show business. The 87-year-old actor, who is known for his roles in "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", received a standing ovation as he went on stage to give his acceptance speech.

When asked about his win, he replied, "They tell me you never work again once you get this award. I'll have to let them know I'm available."