LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― “The Help,” a big-screen drama focusing on race relations in America, was the big winner at the Screen Actors Guild awards ceremony here Sunday, sweeping the top prizes for best actress, best supporting actress and best ensemble.

The film, which tells the story of an aspiring journalist who decides to write a book exposing racism faced by domestic help in the 1960s, beat black-and-white silent movie “The Artist,” “Bridesmaids,” “The Descendants” and other films that had been expected to win top honors.

The Screen Actors Guild are seen as one of the key preludes to the Oscars ceremony, the culmination of the Hollywood awards season, that will be held on Feb. 26.

“It’s been such a labor of love,” said Viola Davis, the winner of the best actress award, as she reminisced about her work in “The Help.”

“I just want to say that (the movie) is not just about colored people or women, it’s about all of us,” she added. “We all can inspire change, every single one of us.”

Octavia Spencer, who won the prize for best supporting actress, said the movie was “a light for women who haven’t been given a voice in American history.”

“I’m thrilled to hold this honor,” Spencer pointed out.

Spencer outdid Argentine-born French actress Berenice Bejo, of the silent film “The Artist.” The two will meet and compete again in the same category at the Oscars.

French actor Jean Dujardin was honored as the best leading actor for his role in “The Artist,” which is seen by movie critics as a favorite for winning an Oscar next month.

“It’s a love story, a simple story, but it’s not just a black-and-white and silent movie,” said the Frenchman, thanking his colleagues. “It’s a new visual and emotional experience for the audience.”

Dujardin competed for the top actor’s prize against some of the biggest Hollywood names, including George Clooney (“The Descendants”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“J. Edgar”) and Brad Pitt (“Moneyball”).

Veteran Canadian actor Christopher Plummer won the award for best supporting actor. Plummer, 82, starred in “Beginners,” where he played a man who comes to terms with his homosexuality late in life.

The 18th SAG ceremony got under way in Los Angeles with a star-studded group in attendance, including Clooney, Dujardin, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams and Pitt, who was accompanied by his companion, Angelina Jolie.

In the television category, the comedy “Modern Family” won the SAG award for best cast in a comedy.