Hollywood rising star Steven Soderbergh beat some tough competition -- including himself -- to win the Oscar for best director Sunday for his unflinching look at the world of drugs on both sides of the US-Mexican border in "Traffic."
Soderbergh won for his challenging discussion of the war on drugs and its tolls both in supplier and user countries on those who use, sell and police drugs.
He was also nominated for his true-life tale of a crusading and clevage-barring law clerk who discovers contamination of the drinking water in a California town, "Erin Brockovich."
Soderbergh paid tribute to all those who devote even part of their lives to creative endeavours and thanked colleagues and friends.
"I think the world would be unlivable without art and I thank you. That includes the Academy, that includes my fellow nominees here tonight. Thank you for inspiring me .. thank you for this," he said -- AFP
