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BAFTA FILM AWARDS:

‘OPPENHEIMER’ TRIUMPHS, ‘Barbie’ heads home empty-handed
‘The Zone of Interest’, a British-produced Holocaust drama shot in Poland with a predominantly German cast, achieved a unique feat by being named both Best British Film and Best Film Not in English — a first.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DESK
Oppenheimer dominated the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) Awards on Sunday, securing Best Film, Best Director for its British-American creator Christopher Nolan, and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. Meanwhile, Emma Stone triumphed with her performance in Poor Things , while Barbie , Maestro , and Killers of the Flower Moon faced disappointment, being shut out weeks before the upcoming Oscars in Los Angeles.
The three-hour epic, about the making of the atomic bomb in World War Two, was the big winner at the Bafta Awards, winning a total of seven awards. Being one of the highest-grossing movies of 2023, it also won awards for supporting actor Robert Downey Jr, editing, cinematography and original score.
Nolan, who won his first Bafta for directing, thanked his cast and crew in his acceptance speech.
“In the real world there are all kinds of individuals and organisations who have fought long and hard to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world... in accepting this I do want to acknowledge their efforts,” he added.
Barbie director Greta Gerwig experienced a notable snub, failing to secure a directing nomination for both the Baftas and the Oscars, which was perceived by many as a major oversight. Meanwhile, Emma Stone picked up the leading actress award for Gothic comedy Poor Things , a steampunk-style visual extravaganza that secured five prizes overall for visual effects, production design, makeup, hair, and costume design.
Despite Oppenheimer’s field-leading 13 nominations, it fell short of the record of nine trophies set in 1971 by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid .
It triumphed in the Best Film category, surpassing contenders like Poor Things, Killers of the Flower Moon, Anatomy of a Fall, and The Holdovers. Additionally, Oppenheimer secured victories in editing, cinematography, and musical score. Robert Downey Jr, portraying Atomic Energy Commission head Lewis Strauss, also claimed the Best Supporting Actor prize.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph earned the title of Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a boarding school cook in The Holdovers and expressed a sense of “responsibility I don’t take lightly” to share the stories of underrepresented individuals like her character Mary.
In a competitive year for cinema, Oppenheimer faced strong competition, energised by the conclusion of actors’ and writers’ strikes that had previously halted Hollywood for months.
The Zone of Interest , a British-produced Holocaust drama shot in Poland with a predominantly German cast, achieved a unique feat by being named both Best British Film and Best Film Not in English — a first. Gaining three wins, the film also received recognition for its sound, described as the true star of the production.
The Ukraine war documentary 20 Days in Mariupol , produced by The Associated Press and PBS Frontline, claimed the prize for Best Documentary.
“This is not about us,” emphasised filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov, who, along with an AP team, depicted the harrowing reality of life in the besieged city. “This is about Ukraine, about the people of Mariupol.”
The awards ceremony, presented by Doctor Who star David Tennant — who made a stylish entrance in a kilt and sequined top, accompanied by a dog named Bark Ruffalo — served as a glamorous, British-accented precursor to Hollywood’s Academy Awards, closely observed for insights into potential winners at the Oscars on March 10.
The award for Original Screenplay was bestowed upon the French courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall . Director Justine Triet and her partner, Arthur Harari, crafted the film about a woman on trial for her husband’s death.
Cord Jefferson claimed the Adapted Screenplay prize for the satirical American Fiction , delving into the challenges faced by an African-American novelist.
The Rising Star award, the only category determined by public vote, was presented to Mia McKenna-Bruce, the star of How to Have Sex .
Prior to the ceremony, nominees, including Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Emily Blunt, Rosamund Pike, Ryan Gosling, and Ayo Edebiri, graced the red carpet at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Presenters Andrew Scott, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, and David Beckham also made notable appearances.
The guest of honour was Prince William, fulfilling his role as the president of Bafta. Notably, he attended without his wife, Kate, who is currently recuperating from abdominal surgery last month.
The ceremony featured musical performances by Hannah Waddingham, star of Ted Lasso , enchanting the audience with Time After Time . Sophie Ellis-Bextor also graced the stage, delivering her 2001 hit Murder on the Dancefloor , which experienced a resurgence on the charts after being featured in Saltburn .
However, the omission of Matthew Perry from the in-memoriam segment triggered backlash amongst social media users. Following Matthew’s passing in October last year at the age of 54, he was absent from the tribute, set to a special musical arrangement of Hannah Waddingham, which drew swift criticism on social media, according to People magazine.
Bafta has addressed the social media backlash, with a spokesperson confirming to People magazine, “I can confirm Matthew Perry will be remembered in our forthcoming Bafta Television Awards.”
On social media platform X, Bafta reiterated, “Matthew Perry will be remembered in this year’s TV Awards ceremony,” and provided a link to the academy’s online tribute to the actor.
Film curator June Givanni, the creator of the June Givanni PanAfrican Cinema Archive, was recognised for her exceptional British contribution to cinema. Actress Samantha Morton was bestowed with the prestigious Bafta Fellowship, the academy’s highest honour.