London:
The US road film “Nomadland” triumphed at the Bafta film awards on Sunday, with Chinese director Chloe Zhao’s intimate portrayal of marginalised Americans winning in 4 categories like greatest film, greatest actress and greatest director.
The socially distanced and largely remote awards ceremony in London saw a robust displaying by girls directors in the run-up to this month’s Oscars.
The British academy has sought to strengthen diversity and Zhao was one of 4 girls nominated for “best director”.
“We brought in changes to the awards to level the playing field”, mentioned Krishnendu Majumdar, chair of the academy, following criticism more than final year’s awards ceremony which had no girls directors and an all-white shortlist.
Zhao welcomed stronger representation for girls film-makers in comments to journalists afterwards, saying: “It’s about time, it’s great.”
“I love doing what I do and if this means more people like me get to live their dreams, I’m very grateful”.
British director Emerald Fennell also carried off two awards for her debut function, “Promising Young Woman” starring Carey Mulligan.
The Oscar-tipped thriller is about a lady who avenges a friend’s rape by pretending to be drunk in bars and then turning the tables on guys who prey on her.
The film, which has components of comedy and horror, won for outstanding British film and original screenplay.
Sitting in front of a grand piano in a gauzy white dress, Fennell described the film as a “labour of love”.
“It was the greatest thing in my life making this film,” she mentioned.
The film is nominated for Oscars for greatest director and greatest original screenplay, though Mulligan is nominated for greatest actress.
Zhao accepted Nomadland’s several awards dressed casually in a plaid shirt from Los Angeles, saying that she planned to start off the day with celebrations.
“Tomorrow morning, I will be very hungover,” she mentioned.
The film’s star Frances McDormand won for greatest top actress and sent a written message saying: “Thank you, dear British people.”
“Nomadland” is one of the frontrunners for this month’s Oscar awards, with six nominations like for greatest image, greatest director and greatest actress.
Last month it won coveted Golden Globe awards for greatest drama film and greatest director.
Welsh actor Sir Anthony Hopkins won the greatest actor Bafta for “The Father” about a man suffering from dementia, directed by France’s Florian Zeller.
The 83-year-old did not seem throughout the ceremony but spoke to journalists afterwards, explaining that he had not anticipated to win and had been holidaying in Wales and painting in his hotel space.
“This is wonderful, I mean, this is the first time in my life when I never expected to get this,” he mentioned, calling his fourth Bafta a “fun bonus”.
An emerging star, 19-year-old Bukky Bakray, won the EE Rising Star award, selected by public vote, for “Rocks”, a coming-of-age drama set in London.
She produced her debut following getting found by way of open auditions.
Dressed in a pink satin gown, she produced her acceptance speech to screams of joy from her household and a hug from her mother.
“Diet Bafta”
The socially distanced ceremony was held at London’s Royal Albert Hall with awards presented on stage to an empty auditorium.
The winning actors and film-makers largely decked out in dinner jackets and evening dresses accepted awards on video calls from their living rooms and hotels, some with household members reacting emotionally in the background.
One of the award presenters, comedian Youssef Kerkour described the stripped-back ceremony as “diet Bafta”.
Prince William had been due to participate in the ceremony, but he pulled out following the death of his grandfather Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.
The star energy came from the actors who presented awards on stage like Hugh Grant, Richard E. Grant, Tom Hiddleston and “Bridgerton” star Phoebe Dynevor. Hollywood star Renee Zellweger produced a virtual look from Los Angeles in a dramatic silver gown to present the top actor award.
Grant awarded the prestigious Bafta Academy Fellowship to double Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, possibly greatest recognized for “Brokeback Mountain” and “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”, describing his profession as “almost preposterously successful”.
“I’m humbled to be counted among such brilliant film-makers”, mentioned the Taiwanese film director.
The ceremony was held more than two days for the initially time, with technical awards on Saturday.
On Saturday, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, a film about a blues musician in 1920s Chicago, took dwelling two technical Baftas for costume style and make-up and hair.
“Rocks” and “Mank”, a depiction of a debauched screenwriter throughout Hollywood’s golden age, also bagged a prize each and every for casting and production style respectively.
Other winners in the technical awards incorporated Christopher Nolan’s science fiction action-thriller “Tenet” for unique visual effects and “Sound of Metal,” starring British actor Riz Ahmed, for sound.
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