The National Society of Film Critics has surprisingly chosen “Waltz With Bashir’ - an animated documentary by Israeli director Ari Folman – as the best film of the year; though other film associations had picked either “Slumdog Millionaire” or “Milk” or else “Wall-E.”

The Society includes members from leading newspapers in Los Angeles, Boston, New York and Chicago and from Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker and Salon.com. Out of the sixty- three members of the society, forty-nine members voted at the 43rd annual meeting on Saturday afternoon, at the esteemed Sardi’s restaurant in New York City.

‘Bashir’, which has been described as “an altogether amazing film” by The New York Times, is the story of Folman coming to terms with withdrawn reminiscences of his experiences with the Israeli army during the Lebanon War in 1982.

The “Milk” actor, Sean Penn, and the “Happy-Go-Lucky” actress, Sally Hawkins, were chosen the best actor and actress, thereby placing them as front-runners for the Academy Awards next month. Veteran actress Hanna Schygulla was named the best supporting actress for “The Edge of Heaven.”
 
The best cinematography went to “Slumdog Millionaire”, the best experimental film to “Razzle Dazzle”, and the best documentary to “Man on Wire.”

Two vastly publicized films - including Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino”, and “The Curious Tale of Benjamin Button” – which are being considered front-runners in different Oscar categories were shut out of the 43rd annual awards.