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Designer-clad movie stars lit up the Oscars red carpet here Sunday as the world's most glamorous catwalk show began just a few hours before the 81st Academy Awards.
An overcast afternoon burst into technicolor in the streets surrounding the Kodak Theater, with the stars of best picture favorite "Slumdog Millionaire" among the early arrivals.
The film's director Danny Boyle was seen accompanying two of the child actors from the film, who were flown to Los Angeles for the ceremony, a world away from their lives in Mumbai's shantytowns.
Other celebrities including teen idol Miley Cyrus and "Milk" star Emile Hirsch were among the early arrivals.
Cyrus, best known as the 16-year-old star of Disney's "Hannah Montana" television show, arrived with her mother in tow and said she was looking forward to star-spotting.
"I'm just hanging out and star-stalking," she quipped to E! television reporter Ryan Seacrest. "I want to see Angelina Jolie. She could adopt me if she wants to."
Meanwhile, Hirsch, who has a key role in gay rights biopic "Milk," arrived in a traditional black tuxedo notable for having a white ribbon pinned to a lapel, a symbol of support for same-sex marriage.
The Oscars red carpet arrivals took place under blanket security, with police helicopters hovering overhead and marksman positioned on building surrounding the awards venue.
Tension cranked up a notch as two accountants from PriceWaterhouseCoopers arrived carrying a briefcase bearing the envelopes with the identities of this year's Oscar winners.
Sunday's Oscars get underway at 5:30 pm (0130 GMT Monday).
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-23 17:35:20
