In a dazzling celebration of cinematic achievements, the 77th British Academy Film Awards saw “Oppenheimer” sweep seven awards, including the coveted titles of best picture, director, and actor, establishing its formidable lead in the race to the Oscars next month. On Sunday, attendees witnessed a triumph for the atom bomb epic, which also won for editing, cinematography, musical score, and hailing Robert Downey Jr. as best supporting actor in his portrayal of Lewis Strauss, the head of the Atomic Energy Commission.
Christopher Nolan, the esteemed British-born filmmaker, secured his first BAFTA for best director with “Oppenheimer,” while the talented Irish actor Cillian Murphy clinched the best actor award for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man dubbed the father of the atomic bomb. In his acceptance speech, Murphy expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to embody such a “colossally knotty, complex character.” Nolan, recognizing the somber nature of the subject, thanked the film’s backers for embracing “something dark.”
The Gothic fantasy “Poor Things,” a visual marvel, walked away with five trophies, celebrating achievements in visual effects, production design, makeup and hair, and costume design. Its lead, Emma Stone, was honored as best actress for her embodiment of the exuberant Bella Baxter. Despite leading with 13 nominations, “Oppenheimer” fell short of breaking the record of nine wins set by “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” in 1971.
Challenging “Oppenheimer” were films like “Poor Things,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” and “The Holdovers,” yet none managed to wrest the best film accolade from the epic’s grasp. The Holocaust drama “The Zone of Interest” achieved an unparalleled feat by being named both best British film and best film not in English. Additionally, it took home the prize for its sound, which critics have declared the true standout feature of the film.
The awards ceremony, occurring against the backdrop of a particularly strong year for cinema, was further energized by the recent end to the debilitating actors’ and writers’ strikes that had brought Hollywood to a standstill. “The Zone of Interest,” a British-produced film shot in Poland with a predominantly German cast, is an unnerving drama set near the Auschwitz death camp, with its atrocities looming ominously off-screen. Producer James Wilson took the occasion to remind the audience of the importance of events occurring in various parts of the world, including Gaza, Yemen, and Mariupol.
Ukraine’s struggle was brought to the forefront as “20 Days in Mariupol,” a harrowing documentary showcasing the besieged Ukrainian city’s plight through the lens of The Associated Press and PBS Frontline, earned the best documentary award. Mstyslav Chernov, the filmmaker, dedicated the award to the people of Ukraine, praising their faith and struggle.
The BAFTA gala, hosted by the charismatic “Doctor Who” star David Tennant — commanding the stage in a kilt and sequins, dog in tow — set the stage as a precursor to the Oscars, stirring speculation about potential winners at the forthcoming Academy Awards on March 10. The event was not short of humor and levity, as the prize for original screenplay was awarded to the French drama “Anatomy of a Fall,” with director Justine Triet injecting comedic assurance that “it’s a fiction, and we are reasonably fine.”
Despite a formidable nomination count, films like “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” “All of Us Strangers,” “Saltburn,” and the record-breaking “Barbie” left the night empty-handed. Notable absences in the nominations included Greta Gerwig for her directorial work on “Barbie,” which many considered a significant oversight.
The Rising Star award, decided through public vote, was bestowed upon Mia McKenna-Bruce, with stars and industry icons gracing the red carpet outside London’s Royal Festival Hall. In attendance as guest of honor was Prince William in his capacity as the president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, with his wife Kate regrettably absent due to recovery from surgery.
In a night where the grandeur of film was celebrated, BAFTA also took a moment to honor individuals who have made lasting contributions to the cinematic world. Film curator June Givanni was recognized for her work in archiving African cinema, while actress Samantha Morton was bestowed the highest accolade, the BAFTA Fellowship, underscoring her sentiment that “representation matters.”
As stars dazzled and filmmakers were lauded, BAFTA once again showcased the very best of cinema, from the savagely dark themes of “Oppenheimer” to the fantastical universe of “Poor Things,” the evening was a testament to the power of storytelling in all its myriad forms.
