‘Nomadland’ big Bafta winner
LONDON: United States recession drama Nomadland, about a community of van dwellers, was the big winner at Britain’s Bafta awards yesterday, scooping best film and prizes for its Chineseborn director Chloe Zhao and leading actress Frances McDormand.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts ceremony was held virtually over two nights, with nominees joining in by video, due to the Covid19 pandemic.
However film stars Hugh Grant and Priyanka Chopra Jonas appeared in person at London’s Royal Albert Hall while Renee Zellweger and Anna Kendrick joined from a Los Angeles studio to present the awards.
Nomadland, which has already picked up prizes this awards season, stars 63yearold McDormand as a widow, who in the wake of the US economic recession, turns her van into a mobile home and sets out on the road, taking on seasonal jobs along the way.
‘‘We would like to dedicate this award to the nomadic community who so generously welcomed us into their lives,’’ Zhao, who won the director category, said in her acceptance speech.
Nomadland also won for cinematography.
Outstanding British film went to #MeToo revenge movie Promising Young Woman, which also won original screenplay.
The academy also paid tribute to Prince Philip who died on Friday, aged 99.
He was named Bafta’s first president in 1959 and his grandson Prince William is Bafta’s president now.
Film veteran Sir Anthony Hopkins won the leading actor category for portraying a man with dementia in The Father.
‘‘I’m at a time in my life where I never expected to get this,’’ the 83yearold told reporters of the award, adding his age had made making the movie ‘‘easy’’.
Youn Yuhjung won supporting actress for Minari, in which she plays a grandmother who travels from South Korea to the United States to look after her grandchildren.
Daniel Kaluuya, who has swept this awards season for his portrayal of late Black Panther activist Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah, won supporting actor. — Reuters