The best of the BAFTAs 2018

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19th February 2018

The 71st British Academy Film Awards, more commonly known as the BAFTAs, were held last night at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Welcoming some of the biggest names in film, the absolutely fabulous Joanna Lumley introduced this year's BAFTAs with some incredible acrobatics from the company of Cirque du Soleil.

“Power to the people.” - Frances McDonagh

A glamorous ceremony and a night for celebrating cinema, with Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri cleaning up five awards, including Best Film, Best British Film, Original Screenplay, Leading Actress (for Frances McDormand) and Supporting Actor (for Sam Rockwell). Meanwhile, stars showed their support for the Time's Up campaign by wearing black on the carpet, with Sam Rockwell, McDormand and Lee Unkrich using their winner's speeches to highlight issues of diversity and equality in the industry.

Frances McDormand accepted her award for best leading actress in a dress, not totally in black, admitting to having a “little trouble with compliance”. Nevertheless, she said she stood in full solidarity with her sisters, “What I’m most proud of,” McDonagh told the audience, “especially in this Time’s Up year, is it is a film about a woman who refuses to take any more shit”.

Margot robbie.
Saoirse ronan. Jennifer lawrence.

As expected Gary Oldman scooped up the award for Leading Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, setting him up as the favourite going into the Oscars. Guillermo del Toro’s Shape of Water was expected to win big, however only picked up three awards out of its twelve nominations. The coveted Oscar for Best Film could still be within their grasp. Whilst Three Billboards’ British background may have helped pave their way to victory at the BAFTAs, they face steep competition from Get Out and The Shape of Water, which have been huge hits at the US box office.

Highlights:

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, acclaimed playwright Martin McDonagh's drama about a grieving mother's attempt to seek justice for her daughter's rape and murder by painting three signs leading into her town with a controversial message. Laced with a sharp comic tone, despite its dark subject matter, Three Billboards bats away fellow nominees Darkest Hour, Dunkirk and The Shape of Water to take Best Film, Original Screenplay and Best British Film, gaining momentum as we march towards the Oscars.

Speech of the night was not encapsulated in one acceptance speech, but many, as Joanna Lumley brought current events in full circle, from suffragettes to Times UP.  EE Rising Star Daniel Kuluuya perhaps spoke a little too much…(we lovingly jest) with the BAFTA countdown rushing him to thank his mum, “Mum – you’re the reason why I started, why I’m here, you’re the reason I keep going. This is yours”. Whilst Frances Mcdonagh spoke of solidarity ending her speech with the words “Power to the people”.

Best Dressed:

Salma Hayek

Jennifer Lawrence

Margot Robbie

Saoirse Ronan

So with the Golden Globes and last night’s Baftas firmly tucked under our belts, awards season is now heading down the red carpet towards the biggest night in the Hollywood calendar - The Oscars (4th March 2018).

Full List of Winners:

Best Film - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Outstanding British Film -Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Director - The Shape Of Water (Guillermo Del Toro)

Original Screenplay - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Martin Mcdonagh)

Adapted Screenplay - Call Me By Your Name (James Ivory)

Leading Actress - Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Leading Actor - Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

Supporting Actress - Allison Janney, I, Tonya

Supporting Actor - Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

EE Rising Star Award (voted for by the public) - Daniel Kaluuya

Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer - I Am Not A Witch

Film Not In The English Language - The Handmaiden

Documentary - I Am Not Your Negro

Animated Film - Coco

Original Music - The Shape Of Water

Cinematography - Blade Runner 2049

Editing - Baby Driver

Sound - Dunkirk

Makeup & Hair - Darkest Hour

Costume Design - Phantom Thread

Visual Effects - Blade Runner 2049

 

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