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At the New York premiere of W.E. at the Ziegfeld Theatre, Madonna, 53, shed some light on why the new movie she both co-wrote and directed was announced as an Oscar contender for Best Costume this morning.

The original Material Girl showed up to plug the movie wearing a form-fitting, black velvet Marchesa gown with a sheer black shawl that sent ruffles cascading around her shoulders and reaching down the length of her arms, culminating past her bejeweled wrists. Boyfriend Brahim Zaibat and daughter Lourdes Leon were also in attendance, but it was Madge herself that kept the red carpet abuzz with conversation.

"Truly I had so much to learn from her," said W.E.'s leading lady, Andrea Riseborough, reports MTV. "She's been really in front of the camera and behind it her whole life. I always felt on this particular project there was nobody better to [tell] this story of a couple who were really hounded [King Edward VIII and American divorcee Wallis Simpson, about whom the movie is based]. She is also incredibly instinctive, and emotionally she knew what tone to pick."

James D'Arcy, who plays King Edward, couldn't have agreed more, calling Madonna "absolutely first-rate" and "exemplary." He continued: "She knew exactly the story she wanted to tell, she had a clear vision. She was good fun. You can't really ask for much more."

W.E. hits theaters on February 3, three weeks before the Oscars. Though the film was nominated for Best Costume, it was snubbed for Best Song, "Masterpiece," even though the track nabbed this year's Golden Globe in the category.

Watch Madonna talk about the film:

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