The British Academy of Film and Television held their Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday evening, and once again silence was golden as The Artist scooped seven awards, including best film, best director, best original screenplay (interesting choice!), original music, best costume design and best cinematography.
There will be no room on director Michel Hazanavicius’ mantle piece for an Oscar at this rate; so he’ll have to send a few statues to the pool room as I can’t imagine him leaving the Oscar’s empty handed now.
The British Academy of Film and Television held their Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday evening, and once again silence was golden as The Artist scooped seven awards, including best film, best director, best original screenplay (interesting choice!), original music, best costume design and best cinematography.
There will be no room on director Michel Hazanavicius’ mantle piece for an Oscar at this rate; so he’ll have to send a few statues to the pool room as I can’t imagine him leaving the Oscar’s empty handed now.
Meryl Streep was predictably best actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. Her outfit was much less predictable though, with Streep ditching her normal skirt and shirt for a revealing and glamorous black Vivienne Westwood strapless gown. It was probably a good thing as Octavia Spencer (The Help), a winner for best supporting actress, turned up in a Streep-like white shirt/black skirt ensemble.
The rest of the acting awards unfolded just like they had at the Golden Globes, with The Artist’s Jean Dujardin winning best actor and 82-year-old Christopher Plummer winning best supporting actor for Beginners.
Hugo, which leads the Oscar nominations this year, received awards for production design and sound, and its director Martin Scorsese was the recipient of the BAFTA’s highest accolade, a fellowship for his contribution to film.
It was also nice to see Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy receive some recognition, winning best adapted screenplay and outstanding British film, and Rango, one of the funniest and original animations of last year, scoop the best animation award.
What does this mean for the Oscars? Well, it certainly firms up a few categories (best actress, best supporting actress, best picture, and possibly best director), and it’s hard to imagine The Artist’s amazing run won’t continue. George Clooney will probably have more luck on American soil with his various nominations, but to be honest this awards season is starting to get a little dull and predictable. Let’s hope the Academy spices up the entertainment by giving us a few surprises to debate.
A full list of winners is below.
Picture The Artist
Actor Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Actress Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Director Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Supporting actress Octavia Spencer - The Help
Supporting actor Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Animated film Rango
Documentary Senna
Outstanding British film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Film not in the English language The Skin I Live In
Outstanding debut Tyrannosaur
Adapted screenplay Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan
Original screenplay The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
Production design Hugo - Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo
Cinematography The Artist - Guillaume Schiffman
Makeup and hair The Iron Lady - Mark Coulier, J. Roy Helland, Marese Langan
Costume design The Artist - Mark Bridges
Editing Senna - Gregers Sall and Chris King
Sound Hugo - Philip Stockton, Eugene Gearty, Tom Fleischman, John Midgley
Original score The Artist - Ludovic Bource
Rising star award Adam Deacon
Academy fellowship Martin Scorsese
Outstanding contribution to British cinema John Hurt
Special visual effects Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 - Tim Burke, John Richardson, Greg Butler and David Vickery
Short animation A Morning Stroll - Grant Orchard and Sue Goffe
Short film Pitch Black Heist - John Maclean and Geraldine O'Flynn