London: Conclave, the papal thriller, and The Brutalist, a gripping immigrant story, both clinched four prestigious awards at the BAFTA ceremony on Sunday, with each film receiving top honours in multiple categories.
Conclave, directed by German filmmaker Edward Berger, triumphed as the best film of the year. The film, which delves into the behind-the-scenes intrigue of electing a new pope, captivated audiences and critics alike. Berger expressed his gratitude during the acceptance speech, highlighting the seven-year journey to bring the project to life. He paid tribute to British screenwriter Peter Straughan’s "wonderful script" and praised lead actor Ralph Fiennes for his stellar performance.
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US director Brady Corbet won the BAFTA for Best Director for The Brutalist, a film based on the life of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor who emigrates to the United States. The film’s lead actor, Adrien Brody, was honoured with the Best Actor award for his portrayal of the central character, an architect dealing with the trauma of his past. Brody, in his acceptance speech, shared, "It was an opportunity for me to honour my own ancestral struggles."
Emilia Perez and scandals
Although Emilia Perez, a surreal musical about a Mexican drug lord, was expected to dominate the evening, the film ended with only two BAFTAs, including Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana. The film’s earlier buzz was dampened after lead actor Karla Sofia Gascon’s past racist and Islamophobic tweets resurfaced, shaking up the competition.
A major surprise of the evening came in the Best Actress category, where 25-year-old Mikey Madison won for her role as a sex worker in the black comedy Anora. Madison, who beat out frontrunner Demi Moore, dedicated her award to the "sex worker community," saying, "I see you, you deserve respect and human dignity."
Additional award highlights
- Best Film Not in the English Language: Emilia Perez director Jacques Audiard received the award, though Gascon did not attend due to the ongoing controversy.
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin was honoured for his role in A Real Pain.
- Best Original Screenplay: Jesse Eisenberg received the award for A Real Pain.
Wicked, Dune, and Wallace and Gromit shine
The much-anticipated Wicked film won two BAFTAs for costume and production design. Meanwhile, Dune: Part Two walked away with awards for Best Special Visual Effects and Best Sound. Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl also garnered two BAFTAs for Best Animated Feature and Best Children’s and Family Film.
In a year where female directors were underrepresented, French director Coralie Fargeat was the only woman nominated in the Best Director category. Her film The Substance won a BAFTA for hair and make-up.
Agency
Published: 17 Feb 2025, 08:40 am IST
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