LONDON — The 78th British Academy Film Awards, or BAFTAs, saw the thriller “Conclave” take home four awards, including Best Picture. It features Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal navigating a tense election for a new pope. Despite facing criticisms, the musical “Emilia Pérez” proved its worth by also bagging significant accolades.
While “Conclave” shone brightly, “The Brutalist” matched its four awards, winning Best Director for Brady Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody. The Best Actress award went to Mikey Madison for her role in “Anora,” a tragicomedy about life in Brooklyn.
“Conclave” was recognized as the Outstanding British Film and won awards for editing and adapted screenplay. In the supporting categories, Kieran Culkin won for “A Real Pain,” while Zoe Saldaña took home an award for her performance in “Emilia Pérez.” That film also earned the title of Best Film Not in the English Language.
Notably, Karla Sofía Gascón, who stars as the lead in “Emilia Pérez,” was a nominee but skipped the event. She faced backlash for some controversial social media posts and has since stepped back from promoting the movie, which has garnered 13 Oscar nominations. The film’s director, Jacques Audiard, acknowledged her in his acceptance speech, showing solidarity with the cast.
This year’s BAFTAs were marked by a diverse lineup, with stars like Cynthia Erivo and Timothée Chalamet walking the red carpet. The event serves as a predictor for the upcoming Oscars, which take place on March 2. The ceremony kicked off with Scottish actor David Tennant leading the audience in a fun singalong.
Mikey Madison’s emotional acceptance speech highlighted respect for the sex worker community, emphasizing their dignity and rights. Brody, who portrayed a Hungarian-Jewish architect in “The Brutalist,” shared a powerful message about fighting racism and antisemitism, reflecting the film’s relevance in today’s world.
The awards also celebrated “A Real Pain” for Best Original Screenplay, while the animated feature “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” took home accolades for Best Animated Feature and Best Family Film. The sci-fi film “Dune: Part Two” won for sound and visual effects, whereas “Wicked” secured wins for costume and production design.
The Rising Star Award went to David Jonsson, who has starred in popular series and films recently, while the BAFTA Fellowship was awarded to Warwick Davis for his extensive career and efforts toward inclusivity in the film industry.
Amidst the excitement, this year’s ceremony came with a sense of solemnity due to the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. BAFTA chairwoman Sara Putt expressed support for those affected. Also, the event missed the royal touch, as Prince William and Kate Middleton were absent due to family commitments. William did send a video message sharing insights about his recent film views.
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