Hi °C | Lo °C 
Javier Bardem has said Julia Roberts' support for his film Biutiful was an "amazing gift".
The Pretty Woman star, along with Sean Penn and director Michael Mann, have been highly vocal in their support for the gritty movie, which is up for two Oscars.
"It's always very helpful to know you have the support of people of that quality to remind people that they should watch the movie," Javier said.
"It's very helpful and you feel protected, any of these people are great artists, for me to be protected by them it's a great honour."
Javier, who us up for best actor for his portrayal of terminally ill criminal Uxbal, added: "Sean and Julia and Michael Mann and many others were out there saying, 'We like this movie and we want people to see it,' and that's always an amazing gift because I'm sure they have many more interesting things to do than putting a suit on and going to a screening for us."
The actor said he was particularly pleased to have been given an Oscar nod for a performance in his mother tongue.
"I feel very honoured because this is the third time I've been nominated. This one I guess the honour is different because it's Spanish and it's not very easy to be here with a Spanish performance. I feel very honoured."
