“1917,” Sam Mendes’ World War I survival thriller, has taken an early lead at the 73rd British Academy of Film and Television’s Film Awards with four wins so far.
“1917” took the Outstanding British Film Award, the clear favourite in the category, which was the first of the evening to be announced.
“1917” also won the Sound prize, and immediately after the Production Design Award.
As widely expected, “1917” also triumphed in the cinematography category with Roger Deakins, who boasts 10 previous BAFTA nominations and has won before for “Blade Runner 2049,” “True Grit,” “No Country for Old Men,” and “The Man Who Wasn’t There,” taking the prize.
In the first acting prize of the night, Laura Dern converted her debut BAFTA nomination into a win, picking up the Best Supporting Actress prize for “Marriage Story.”
“Joker” took its first prize of the evening for Original Score, for Hildur Guanadottir.
“Little Women”, director Greta Gerwig’s version Louisa May Alcott’s classic book, won the Costume Design Award. The award went to costume designer Jacqueline Durran, who has previous BAFTAs for her work on “Anna Karenina” and “Vera Drake”.
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“Klaus”, Sergio Pablos’s animated Santa story, took the animated film prize, the second award of the evening.
“Bombshell,” Jay Roach’s based-on-a-true-story dramatization of sexual harassment at Fox News, won the Make Up & Hair category.
“Le Mans 66″ (“Ford vs Ferrari”) James Mangold’s motor-racing movie, triumphed in the editing category, with the prize going to Andrew Buckland and Michael McCusker.
Iranian-British director Maryam Mohajer’s “Grandad Was A Romantic” triumphed in the British Short Animation section. Mohajer dedidcated the prize to the people of Iran, saying “they deserve better.” The best British Short Film award went to Carol Dysinger and Elena Andreicheva’s “Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re A Girl).”
The ceremony, which takes place at London’s Royal Albert Hall, is hosted by Graham Norton for the first time. Best known as the host of the UK’s leading late-night chatshow, broadcast on Friday nights, Norton has taken over from Joanna Lumley, who hosted for two years following the departure of longtime emcee Stephen Fry.
“Joker,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “The Irishman,” and “1917” are the favourites going into the BAFTAs.
“Joker” has a field leading 11 noms, while “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “The Irishman” scored 10 noms apiece, and “1917” landed nine.
BAFTA has incurred heavy criticism over the lack of diversity in its nominations. Among the 20 major acting nominations there were no actors of colour. Referring to the criticism in his opening speech, host Graham Norton joked that 2019 was the year “when white men finally broke through” in cinema.
The best director category was once again female free, featuring Sam Mendes, Martin Scorsese, Todd Phillips, Quentin Tarantino, and Bong Joon Ho.
Nominees confirmed to attend this year include Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper, Charlize Theron, Joaquin Phoenix, Margot Robbie, Robert De Niro, Saoirse Ronan, and Scarlett Johansson.
This year has seen the introduction of a category for best casting director – BAFTA’s first new category for more than two decades – following a campaign last year to recognise that arm of the film industry.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy is being honoured this year with the BAFTA Fellowship and actor, director and motion capture pioneer Andy Serkis will receive the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award.
Last year “The Favourite” dominated scooping seven awards, while Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma” won four including best film.
This story will update live during the BAFTAs
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