Screen rounds up the talking points from this year’s Bafta Film Awards, which took place tonight (February 22) at London’s Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank. One Battler After Another and Sinners led the winners.
A new host
Scottish actor and presenter Alan Cumming was making his debut presenting this year, following two years with David Tennant hosting.
His opening monologue included some gently risque jokes, for example: “One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value, Pillion – it’s been a great year for daddy issues” and: “Please familiarise yourself with your nearest film star; your closest one could be behind you, if you play your cards right at the after-party”.
He also played a game with the audience where he brought mostly American celebs some classic UK snacks, including a packet of Hula Hoops to Emma Stone, Hob Nobs to Leonardo DiCaprio and Scampi Fries to Timothee Chalamet.
The swearing apology
One of the biggest winners of the night was Robert Aramayo, who shocked everyone - including himself - by winning best actor for I Swear, as well as the EE rising star award, voted for by the public.
In the film, he plays campaigner John Davidson, who has severe Tourette’s syndrome and was a guest at the ceremony. On a few occasions, Davidson’s tics could be heard during the ceremony, including during speeches by Sara Putt and Ryan Coogler.
Host Cumming said at the start of the ceremony: “John has Tourette Syndrome so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.” Later on he added: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
It has been reported that Davidson later left the ceremony, but was not asked to leave by organisers. Bafta told Screen that the UK broadcast of the ceremony complied with its pre-watershed slot.
The power of cinema
Several speeches referenced the power of the big screen despite mounting industry challenges.
Paul Thomas Anderson, referencing the other nominees competing against One Battle After Another, said: “Anybody who says movies aren’t good anymore can piss right off because this was a good fucking year.”
Joachim Trier said his film Sentimental Value was “part of a big group of films this year that are made for the big screen… films that are made for deep, humanist viewing.”
Donna Langley, collecting her Bafta fellowship, said the industry was facing “moments of change and disruption”, adding: “As we move forward, let’s remember the future of this business is not something that happens to us. It’s something we shape…by the risks we take and the people we back. So, let us continue to adapt, be resilient, and make room for new voices.”
Clare Binns, who received the outstanding British contribution to cinema award, said: “I’m still having to shout out for more women and more diversity in our industry - it matters and I truly believe we are missing a business trick if we don’t move faster than we have.”
Politics
Unlike last night’s Berlinale closing ceremony, the speeches mostly stayed clear of politics, but My Father’s Shadow filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. who won the outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer alongside Wale Davies, was an exception.
At the end of his speech, he dedicated the award to “all those whose parents migrated to make a better life for their children, to the economic migrant, those under occupation, persecution and those experiencing genocide. You matter. Your stories matter more than ever, your dreams are an act of resistance. To those watching at home - from Nigeria, London, Sudan. Free Palestine.”
This section of his speech was cut from the TV broadcast, but in a statement to Screen, the BBC said: ”The live event is three hours and it has to be reduced to two hours for its on-air slot. The same happened to other speeches made during the night and all edits were made to ensure the programme was delivered to time. All winners’ speeches will be available to watch via Bafta’s YouTube Channel.”
Mr Nobody Against Putin co-director David Borenstein brought the film’s subject, teacher Pavel Talankin onstage when they won the documentary award. Talankin helped covertly film as Russian propaganda flooded his school, and is credited as co-director of the film.
Borenstein said: “Thank you, Pavel for showing that no matter how dark things get in Russia or the streets of Minneapolis - we always face a moral choice - we need more Mr Nobodies”
Please look after this bear
Paddington Bear was the star attraction on the Bafta red carpet, causing more hysteria than the likes of Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio. The live-sized animatronic beast, from the West End production Paddington: The Musical, later presented the award for best children’s film at his very own miniature lectern.
“I am the first ever bear to present an award,” the Bear, who is voiced by James Hameed, while Arti Shah is in the costume. “And also the first presenter to get marmalade all over Bafta.
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