‘Dune’ and ‘Power of the Dog’ head Bafta nominations

LONDON: Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic ‘Dune’ and Jane Campion’s dark Western ‘The Power of the Dog’ head up this year’s Ba a nominations, with 11 and eight nods respectively, the body announced Thursday.

The two movies will vie with Kenneth Branagh’s semiautobiographical ‘Belfast’, Adam McKay’s end-of-world comedy ‘Don’t Look Up’ and Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1970s ‘Licorice Pizza’ for the best film prize.

‘Belfast’ received a total of six nominations, while Daniel Craig’s final James Bond film ‘No Time to Die’ had five, as did ‘Licorice Pizza’ and Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’ remake.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s troubled cowboy in Campion’s thriller is nominated for best actor, along with Leonardo DiCaprio for his role in ‘Don’t Look Up’, while Will Smith earns his first Ba a tap for his role as the Williams sisters’ father and tennis coach in ‘King Richard’.

Denzel Washington was however overlooked for a first Ba a nomination for his acclaimed starring role in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’.

Lady Gaga earned a best leading actress nomination for her portrayal of Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Sco ’s ‘House Of Gucci’, as did fellow US musician Alana Haim for her performance in ‘Licorice Pizza’.

Olivia Colman is however notably absent despite her role in ‘The Lost Daughter’, as is Kristen Stewart for her portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales in ‘Spencer’, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts said.

‘Belfast’, ‘House of Gucci’ and ‘No Time To Die’ are all nominated for outstanding British film at this year’s awards, the winners of which are to be announced during an event at London’s Royal Albert Hall on March 13.