Night Bafta fashion became a political statement
A SEA of flowing black dresses and Time’s Up badges delicately pinned to lapels, the protest was hard to miss.
And the campaigning didn’t stop at the red carpet, as barnstorming acceptance speeches demanding social change turned last night’s Baftas into the most political ever.
Screen stars including an all black-attired Saoirse Ronan turned out in force and took any opportunity to prove their liberal credentials. It was difficult to find an acceptance speech without a political stance, with everything from disadvantaged Mexicans to violence against women getting a mention.
Even Joanna Lumley, in the opening speech as she marked her Bafta hosting debut, praised the ‘dogged determination’ of suffragettes. She also thanked those supporting the Time’s Up movement and its ‘determination to eradicate the abuse of women the world over’. The actress, 71, had taken over from 12-time host Stephen Fry.
The evening was a family affair for Gary Oldman, who arrived on the red carpet flanked by his three sons, Charlie, Gulliver and Alfie, as well as his wife Gisele Schmidt.
The actor, 59, won the Best Actor award for his turn as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. Accepting his Bafta, an emotional Oldman said: ‘This is made all the more special because I can share it with my family tonight. Without your help and without your faith in me, I would not be standing here. Last but not least, thank you to Winston Churchill – the man himself. On those darkest days, he held the line for honour, for integrity and freedom, and for his nation.’
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – directed by Irish filmmaker Martin McDonagh – was the big winner of the night, taking home Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, as well as Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor for two of its stars.
Glamorous attendees had filled the red carpet with black dresses in support of the Time’s Up movement against sexual harassment. Lily James, Angelina Jolie and Carlow actress Saoirse Ronan, 23, were among those who took part in the protest.
However, despite Oscar-nominated Saoirse’s bold display, she lost out on the Best Actress Bafta to Frances McDormand.
Presenting an award, Gemma Arterton thanked the audience for ‘standing up for equality’. And in another political acceptance speech, Lee Unkrich – whose film Coco won Best Animated Film – spoke out about Mexicans being treated badly in America.
Finally, Sam Rockwell who won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Three Billboards said he stood ‘on the shoulders of these strong, intelligent, righteous women who have made my life complete’.
EVEN if she never made another film, Saoirse Ronan would still have had an incredible career. But given that she still has a couple of months to go until her 24th birthday, we can expect many fine performances from her in the years to come.
Last night she missed out on collecting a Bafta for her role in Lady Bird. But fingers crossed that she will be coming home with one of those famous golden statuettes from next month’s Oscars.