Sweeping win at BAFTA sets '1917' up for potential Oscar glory

‘1917’ which was up for 9 awards at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), won 7 out of its 9 nominations on Sunday, at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

The sweep at the BAFTA comes just a week ahead of the Academy Awards, to be held on February 9 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The World War I movie by Sam Mendes has received 10 Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture. 

Mendes won the Best Director trophy at the BAFTAs, while the film scooped up the coveted Best Film as well as the trophies for cinematography, production design, sound and special visual effects.

1917 follows two British soldiers on a perilous mission across no man's land and is set in the period  just before the end of World War I.

The movie, hailed as a groundbreaking piece of cinema, for its technical brilliance and innovative one-shot-take, has already won the Golden Globe for Best Drama along with a host of other awards. 

Sam Mendes is the first British winner of the Best Director BAFTA since Danny Boyle won  in 2009 for Slumdog Millionaire.

Joaquin Phoenix won the Best Actor award for his widely acclaimed performance in ‘Joker’. Renee Zellweger claimed the Best Actress award for her portrayal of Judy Garland in ‘Judy’. 

The ceremony was hosted by TV chat show presenter Graham Norton and the event was graced by the royal couple, Prince William, in his 10th year as BAFTA president, and Kate Middleton. 

Prince William presented the Academy Fellowship, BAFTA’s highest accolade, to American Kathleen Kennedy, the boss of Lucasfilm. Lucasfilm is the producer of some of the biggest-grossing movies such as the Star Wars sequels, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ and the ‘Back to the Future’ trilogy.

Author
Lakshmy Iyer
Lakshmy Iyer – Senior Correspondent, ASEAN & Entertainment

Lakshmy has been contributing regularly as a freelance writer since 2012. Her writing has been an amalgamation of the language, literature and rich cultural experiences of India as well as South East Asia. An Instructional Designer by profession she is passionate about lifelong learning. Art is her medium of reflection. She participates in art exhibitions thus contributing to the local art scene and using this platform, supports social causes in Singapore as well.

Comments
Poll

Which team do you think will win IPL 2023?

  • Chennai Super Kings
  • Royal Challengers Bangalore
  • Mumbai Indians
  • Gujarat Titans
  • Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Delhi Capitals
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad
  • Lucknow Super Giants
  • Royal Challengers Bangalore
  • Punjab Kings
Answer
Write your story

Contribute an Article

Learn more