FOCUS, ‘C’ THE LIGHT AND ‘ATONE’

A PRUDISH studio executive nearly put the kibosh on the new Keira Knightley-James McAvoy movie, “Atonement.” The script included one C-word – and it wasn’t cancer – that director Joe Wright felt was integral to the film. Hollywood studios refused to distribute it, but Wright refused to budge. Focus Features stepped in to rescue the project (language intact) and looks poised to nail multiple Oscar nominations for the wartime weeper. Joining the stars the other night at the Cinema Society and Chanel-sponsored screening, were Rufus Sewell, Chris Noth, Rosamund Pike, Eva Amurri, Griffin Dunne, Mira Nair, Rachel Roy and Jacquetta Wheeler. After a day of being hounded by paparazzi, Keira huddled at the after-party at Balthazar, holding hands with flame Rupert Friend.