Asante won the Carl Foreman award for British debut feature at the 2005 Baftas for ‘A Way Of Life’
Director and screenwriter Amma Asante won the Carl Foreman award for British debut feature at the 2005 Baftas for A Way Of Life, centring on a teenage single mother in South Wales. A former child actor, she went on to direct a trio of historical features: biographical dramas Belle (2013) and A United Kingdom (2016), respectively set in the 18th century and the 1940s, and Second World War fictional romance Where Hands Touch (2018).
Asante is currently in post-production in London with Cold War espionage thriller Billion Dollar Spy, starring Russell Crowe, Harry Lawtey, Vera Farmiga and Rufus Sewell. The filmmaker lives in Copenhagen with her Danish husband of 20 years.
How did you feel when your name was called that night?
I was pretty jet-lagged. I had just flown in that day from Miami Film Festival. When Stephen Daldry called out my name, it was a massive shock. I was stumped and it took quite something for me to get up and out of my seat. I took the stairs and turned around and the bright lights dazzled me. I could see particular faces – Goldie Hawn, Richard Gere – jumping out at me.
What do you remember from giving your speech?
I remember trying to recall as many crew as possible, and Stephanie [James] the film’s lead. I remember thanking my parents for being the eccentric people that they are, were, they’re both gone now. For the speech it was: my goodness, how have I got here? What am I supposed to do? Just get it right and thank all the people that are the reason you are here.
What was your parents’ reaction to your win?
My dad said he could not believe what he was seeing, and kept asking himself, “Is it true? Has she really done it?” My mum said she almost fainted, not like her at all, she was a tough cookie. They remained proud for the rest of their lives.
Where did you go that night after your win?
I went to the Sanderson Hotel, to an event by a person who used to host post-Bafta events, whose name we do not mention. I did go to the official Bafta party at the Grosvenor House hotel. There I saw lots of people who were genuinely chuffed for me and had, one way or another, encouraged me on the film’s script.
Who carried your award around all night?
I carried it myself. I wasn’t going to let it out of my sight.
Who did you meet for the first time that night?
I have to tell you the coolest story for me. Before we left the Baftas, all the winners had to line up for a group photograph. Martin Scorsese walked from one end of the stage to the other to congratulate me. I remember Richard Gere and his partner at the time coming up to me also to congratulate me, and that was sweet and cool. And Keanu Reeves.
What did you do the next day?
I remember going into BBC Radio London to do an interview on the Robert Elms afternoon [radio] show. That show was part of my daily life at that point, something I listened to every day.
Did you feel pressure after the Bafta win for your next project?
I got warned that you can live off your first film, have that be your only film for the rest of your life if you don’t shake yourself up and get on with it. I wanted to move forward. Lots of people said to me that you’ve got to learn to say no, because you’ll be invited to all sorts of amazing places, especially after winning the Bafta, and you’ve got to have the discipline to say no and get stuck into the next project.
What impact do you feel the win has had on your career?
The thing that always stands out for me is it absolutely got me in the room. I went the traditional 10 years as a female director between first film and second film. I got lots of things in development in that 10 years, as luckily I write as well. My understanding is that is true for a lot of female directors after they’ve made some noise with their first film at that time. I would hope it’s changed now.
How do you keep your Bafta clean?
I dust it. You don’t have to polish it. We’ve moved home a fair few times, and I pack it carefully when we’re moving.
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