The Artist director thanks Uggie in Oscar speech The Oscar winning director of The Artist has thanked the film's canine actor in his acceptance speech. Michel Hazanavicius beat off competition from Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen and Alexander Payne. When he accepted his gong he said: "I have an Oscar! I am the happiest director in the world right now. He went on to thank Uggie the dog, who starred in the movie, saying "I think he doesn't care. I'm not sure he understands what I say.