Gravity, 12 Years A Slave and American Hustle were the big winners at last night’s BAFTAs.
While many were questioning the British connections to Gravity (winner of the Best British film), the biggest controversy of the night was the omission of James Gandolfini in the In Memoriam segment.
Controversy aside, Stephen Fry again shone as the night’s host, showing other awards’ hosts how to host an ceremony by being likeable, witty and fast (although to be fair, the BAFTAs are screened a couple of hours after the actual ceremony has begun so there is some editing – namely, cutting out a few of the winners).
Talking about winners, the standout speeches for me were from Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren, Steve McQueen and Barkhad Abdi.
Cate Blanchett chose to honour Phillip Seymour Hoffman in her acceptance speech (Best Actress, Blue Jasmine). “Phil buddy, this is for you, you bastard. I hope you’re proud!”
Barkhad Abdi’s win for Best Supporting Actor (Captain Phillips) is one that movies are made of. Abdi had never acted before Paul Greengrass picked him for this role (in his acceptance speech he thanked Greengrass for “believing in me before I believed in myself”).
Abdi wasn’t the only one thrilled with his win so was most of the audience – but especially his co-star Tom Hanks. He cheered and wolf whistles as Abdi took to the stage to accept his award. Tom tweeted after the ceremony “Barkhad Abdi! BAFTA winner! He IS the captain now ! Somali champion !!! Hanx.”, along with this photo below.
On accepting the award for Best Film, Steve McQueen said, “There are 21million people in slavery as we sit here.I just hope that 150 years from now our ambivalence will not allow anotherfilmmaker to make this film!”
Prince WIlliam awarded the Fellowship award to Helen Mirren, or as he said, he should “refer to her as Granny”. I love that Helen Mirren referred to the power of great teachers in her acceptance speech
Below is a full list of winners
Outstanding British film – Gravity
Outstanding Animated Film – Frozen
Outstanding Debut by a British Director, Writer – Kieran Evans, Kelly & Victor
Outstanding Supporting Actor – Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Outstanding Cinematography – Emmanuel Lubezki, Gravity
Outstanding Supporting Actress – Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Outstanding Contribution to British cinema – Peter Greenaway
Outstanding Screenplay – Eric Warren Singer & David O Russell, American Hustle
Outstanding Adapted Screenplay Steve Coogan & Jeff Pope, Philomena
EE Rising Star Award – Will Poulter
Outstanding Actor – Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years A Slave
Outstanding Director – Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Outstanding Actress – Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Outstanding Film – 12 Years A Slave