This year I didn’t post any predictions as to who would win at the BAFTAs because my taste is so idiosyncratic. I was tempted to miss it because I want this blog to focus on Japanese films and there was no Japanese film presence at the BAFTA’s but I ended up watching anyway because I love cinema.
So, armed with Chinese food and a degree of hope that some interesting films would win I watched as beautiful actors and actresses strolled up the red carpet.
I hoped to see the following win awards: Drive for Best Picture, Richard Aoyade (Submarine) for Outstanding Debut by a British Director, Michael Fassbender (Shame) or Gary Oldman (Tinker, Tailor) for Leading Actor. Best Animation is always a waste of time because nothing interesting (read: Japanese) gets nominated but I expected Tintin to win. I hoped The Skin I Live In would take the foreign language award but A Separation offered stiff competition.
I had the suspicion that The Artist would sweep the awards because it has become the juggernaut title of the year like and that suspicion proved correct.
Anyway congratulations to all involved and thanks to the BBC and Stephen Fry for making it watchable. Thanks also to BAFTA for putting up most of the acceptance speeches.
Best Film:
Director:
Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist
Leading Actor:
Jean Dujardin – The Artist
Leading Actress:
Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady
Supporting Actress:
Octavia Spencer – The Help
Supporting Actor:
Christopher Plummer – Beginners
Adapted Screenplay:
Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Original Screenplay:
Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist
Animated Film:
Rango – Gore Verbinski
Film Not in the English Language:
The Skin I Live In – Pedro Almodóvar
Outstanding British Film:
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – Tomas Alfredson,
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer:
Tyrannosaur – Paddy Considine (Director),
Documentary:
Senna – Asif Kapadia,
Animated Film:
Rango – Gore Verbinski
It was great to see John Hurt pick up an award but my highlight was Scorcese’s speech after winning the BAFTA fellowship. It was full of love for cinema and he name-checked Powell & Pressburger who made awesome films.
For a full list of the results please visit the BAFTA website.
Genkinahito 
Scorsese was so wonderful last night, I agree with you there! He definitely ended the night on a brilliant high, and it’s was fantastic to hear someone speak so passionately (and genuinely) about their love of filmmaking. Although watching Meryl Streep lose her shoe was pretty great… even playing Thatcher, that woman is inspiring!
Thanks for the reply. It was a pretty entertaining show and I could listen to Scorsese speak about films all day. There was a lot of tough choices and The Artist is a great film but it would have been interesting if other films had been picked. It makes one realise that 2011 was a really good year for film.
Hmm, I rarely see Japanese animation win anything, that’s true. I guess the appraisal couldn’t escape from subjectivity somehow. The Artist dominated the award, but I guess it’s a great movie (haven’t watch it yet).
The problem is that Japanese animated films get limited screenings. They’re usually found in film festivals and conventions. When they do get a wider (ever so slightly wider) release outside of places like London and Hyper Japan they tend to get ignored by mainstream press. Tatsumi is the most recent one that could have been nominated but that film was animated in Singapore so it’s all moot.
The Artist is a great love letter to the silent era. I hope you see it, I’d be interested in your opinion because some people find it overrated.
Thanks for the reply! 🙂