‘Shape of Water’ leads BAFTA noms
Cold War monster movie “The Shape of Water” led nominations Tuesday for British Academy Film Awards, as organizers announced a new female host and promised to fight sexism and sexual misconduct in showbiz.
Guillermo del Toro’s fantastical thriller scored nominations in 12 categories, including best picture and best director, for the awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, which are the U.K. equivalent of the Oscars.
Scorching tragicomedy “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and Winston Churchill biopic “Darkest Hour” gained nine nominations apiece for the prizes, considered an indicator of likely success at Hollywood’s Academy Awards.
“Three Billboards” writer-director Martin McDonagh said he was thrilled by the positive response to the film and its “strong and outrageous and nuanced” central character, played by Frances McDormand. The story of a mother avenging her daughter’s rape and murder won four Golden Globes on Sunday.
“You never know if a film that is as dark as this, and has as many strange shifts in tone as this, is going to connect,” McDonagh said.
Other multiple BAFTA nominees include sci-fi sequel “Blade Runner 2049” and World War II drama “Dunkirk,” with eight each. Figure-skating showdown “I, Tonya” is nominated in five categories.
Winners will be announced at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Feb. 18, two weeks before the Oscars.
The ceremony will be hosted by “Absolutely Fabulous” star Joanna Lumley.