Welsh stars miss out as Joker earns top Bafta for Phoenix
WELSH stars Taron Egerton and Jonathan Pryce missed out at the Baftas last night as Joaquin Phoenix won the leading actor Bafta for Joker.
He won over the Welsh pair as well as fellow nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Driver.
Egerton, from Aberystwyth, was shortlisted for his role as Elton John in Rocketman, while Pryce, from Carmel in Flintshire, earned the nod for his performance alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins in Netflix production The Two Popes.
But they were both beaten by Phoenix’s intense performance as the psychopathic eponymous hero of the Batman spin-off joker.
In his acceptance speech, Phoenix took aim at “systemic racism” and “oppression” within the industry in his acceptance speech.
Several of this year’s flagship industry awards events, including the Oscars and the Baftas themselves, have been criticised for the lack of diversity on their shortlists.
The Gladiator star said: “I feel very honoured and privileged to be here tonight - Bafta has always been very supportive of my career and I’m deeply appreciative. But I have to say that I also feel conflicted because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege.
“I think that we send a very clear message to people of colour that you’re not welcome here, I think that’s the message that we’re sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry and in ways that we benefit from.
“I don’t think anybody wants a hand-out or preferential treatment, although that’s what we give ourselves every year. I think people want to be appreciated and respected for their work.
“This is not a self-righteous condemnation because I am part of the problem, I have not done everything in my power - not all sets I’ve worked on are inclusive.
“I think that we really have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism... it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuated and benefit from a system of oppression to dismantle it, so that’s on us.”
Elsewhere, the war film 1917 was one of the night’s big winners, picking up Outstanding British Film and Best Film as well as Best Director for Sam Mendes.
Accepting the latter award, he told the audience at the Royal Albert Hall: “Thank you for giving us a really wonderful night.
“Thank you to all the people who have gone to see this in the cinemas, it’s still on.” Star George MacKay added: “We would like to share this with every single member of the crew and the team who gave their time. “The whole process in the film itself show the goodness that will come in going for something that is bigger than yourself.”
The leading actress Bafta was presented to Renee Zellweger for Judy.
Recognising her fellow nominees, she said: “This is very humbling. Saoirse, Charlize, Scarlett, Jessie, it’s an honour to share this evening with you. Jessie Buckley, you are a superstar. I’m so proud of you for this evening, you are such a special person, you elevate everything you do and I am so grateful for our friendship.”
She added: “Miss Garland, London town, which you have always loved so much, still loves you back. This is for you.”
The EE rising star prize was awarded to Micheal Ward.
Collecting the prize from Daniel Kaluuya, he said: “Wow guys, thank you for that reception, I had something planned but it’s all gone to what, oh my days. I just want to say thank you first of all to God for making all of this possible.
“Dad, I know you’re watching down on me protecting me on this journey, thank you to my mum for believing in me.”
He added: “Thank you to Top Boy for changing my life forever, Blue Story, I wouldn’t be here without the movie.
“What I want to say is, people watching at home, looking at me, life didn’t have to be this way.
“You have to see the opposite and see a vision.”
For both Laura Dern, winner of best supporting actress for Marriage Story, and Brad Pitt, who won best supporting actor for Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, the awards marked their first ever Bafta awards, despite both having professional acting careers lasting over 30 years.
Pitt could not attend the ceremony so the prize was collected by his costar Margot Robbie, who said Pitt was absent due to “family obligations”.
Reading his speech, she said: “Hey Britain, heard you just became single, welcome to the club. Wishing you the best with the divorce settlement.”
She added: “He says he is going to name this Harry because he is really excited about bringing it back to the States with him. His words not mine.”