LOS ANGELES, California??I?m going skinny-dipping in the pool!?

That?s what director Joe Wright said he was going to do when he learned that his Keira Knightley-James McAvoy epic drama, ?Atonement,? won the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture-Drama last Sunday evening.

The writers? strike in Hollywood forced the cancellation of the annual awards bash so the winners watched and heard their names being announced in a televised press conference from their homes, hotel rooms, film or TV show sets or, in the case of Julian Schnabel, in the baggage claim area of New York?s JFK airport. Some were having viewing parties of the scaled-down version of the Golden Globe Awards?a 35-minute announcement press conference?in their living rooms or hotel suites. Winners like Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Piven sipped champagne to toast their victories.

Wherever Joe Wright was swimming in the nude, we sympathize with his lovely fiancée, actress Rosamund Pike, a former James Bond girl who appeared in his triumphant first feature, ?Pride & Prejudice.? The young British filmmaker said, ?It?s a tremendously exciting night and I think I may have cut off the circulation in my fiancée?s hand. I was holding it so tight.?

He added, ?I?m incredibly proud of my young, talented cast and brilliant crew. I?m also thankful for the faith that Ian McEwan bestowed on us by allowing us to adapt his masterpiece...God save the Queen!?

Throughout Sunday evening and Monday, the winners issued statements and e-mailed their reactions. We share some of them:

Tim Bevan, Paul Webster and Eric Fellner, ?Atonement? producers:

?This movie was inspired by the imagination of Ian McEwan, and it?s extraordinary that we were able to put together such a talented group of actors and crew that were able to remain true to his story. We want to thank all of them...None of this would have been possible without the unique talents and vision of our director, Joe Wright?this award is truly his.?

Johnny Depp, Best Actor-Comedy or Musical, ?Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street?:

?...It is a humbling experience, especially in the company of such talent...While this is indeed a happy day for me, I am overjoyed at the recognition the film as a whole is receiving.

?Tim (Burton)...is a genius. Without his unwavering trust and support, I would not be anywhere near where I am today. Also, big thanks and respect to Helena (Bonham Carter), whose simply staggering performance as Mrs. Lovett is a wonder to behold. I must send a behemoth salute to the wonderful crew and cast of ?Sweeney Todd?...?

Tim Burton, director, ?Sweeney Todd,? Best Picture-Comedy or Musical:

?I was very happy to receive the news. These awards recognize the work of many talented cast and crew and hopefully help an unusual film like this reach a wider audience.?

Richard Zanuck, producer, ?Sweeney Todd?:

?I am thrilled. I accept this honor on behalf of Tim whose vision made this award possible. I am overjoyed that Johnny?s brilliant performance has been honored.?

Marion Cotillard, Best Actress-Comedy or Musical, ?La Vie en Rose?:

?I?m so happy the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognized the film and my performance. As a French actress, I have always dreamt of being in the company of actors whom I have admired from afar for so long: Daniel Day-Lewis, Javier Bardem, Cate Blanchett, Johnny Depp and Julie Christie. My sincere gratitude to director Olivier Dahan, who is the one that made this all possible.?

Julie Christie, Best Actress-Drama, ?Away from Her?:

?Thank you very much indeed for this award which I will share with Sarah Polley, our wonderful director, who made it all possible, and the terrific cast and crew of ?Away from Her? with whom I was fortunate enough to work.?

Queen Latifah, Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Movie Made for Television, ?Life Support?:

?I am so thrilled. I wish I could be with you tonight to celebrate. ?Life Support? is an important film which addresses important issues. I?m so proud to be recognized for my work in it. I only hope that the film helps in our fight against AIDS and HIV. My partner Shakim Compere and I were so passionate about ?Life Support,? that we signed up to produce it and never imagined it would go this far...?

Javier Bardem, Best Supporting Actor, ?No Country for Old Men?:

?It is a great honor to have been recognized with this award in a time when there are so many outstanding performances in this category. I would like to thank the Coens for their trust and for allowing me to be part of their creative process in this incredible project. I want to share this award with Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones and Kelly Macdonald...?

Joel and Ethan Coen, Best Screenplay, ?No Country for Old Men?:

?We would like to express our gratitude to all our friends and associates who helped us in making this film, especially Cormac McCarthy, our DP Roger Deakins, producer Scott Rudin and our actors Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Kelly Macdonald...?

Julian Schnabel, Best Director, ?The Diving Bell and the Butterfly? (also awarded Best Foreign Language Film):

?Thank you Hollywood Foreign Press Association for your generous support... My whole life I have been inspired by movies, and the talented actors and filmmakers who make them. I want to thank my cast and crew, and Jean-Dominique Bauby. Hopefully, these awards will encourage audiences to see our film, which celebrates life and love.?

Brad Bird, co-director and co-writer, ?Ratatouille? (awarded Best Animated Feature Film):

?It was surreal, being here at home, hearing I?d won, and then having it all just fast forward onto the next award. No slow walk up to the stage, no speech. Not what you imagine winning a Golden Globe to be like. But I?m still thrilled, thankful and happy for everyone who worked on this labor of love, ?Ratatouille,? and I?m very grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for their support.?

E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, ?The Nepales Report,? on www.inquirerbloggers.net/nepalesreport.