'Away,' 'Promises' win big at Genies

TORONTO, March 4 (UPI) -- "Away From Her" won seven prizes, including one for best picture, at the 28th annual Genie Awards at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The movie also earned Sarah Polley awards for director and adapted screenplay during ceremonies Monday night.

Julie Christie, who plays a beautiful, brilliant woman struggling with Alzheimer's disease in "Away From Her," won the prize for best lead actress, while Gordon Pinsent won the equivalent lead actor award for playing her devoted husband.

Their co-star Kristen Thomson won the supporting actress gong and the film also received the previously announced Claude Jutra Award.

The mob drama "Eastern Promises" also won seven prizes, including those for original screenplay, cinematography, editing, original score, overall sound and sound editing.

One of the film's stars Armin Mueller-Stahl won the award for performance by an actor in a supporting role.