lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 Awards Slave epic big Bafta winner as Hollywood descends on London
British director Steve McQueen poses with the award for best film for “12 Years A Slave”.
British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor poses with the award for a leading actor for his work on the film “12 Years a Slave”.
US director Ron Howard poses as he collects the award (From second left) US producer Dede Gardner, US producer Jeremy Kleiner, British director Steve McQueen, Producer Anthony Katagas and US actor Brad Pitt for editing on behalf of film editors Dan Hanley and pose with their awards for best film for “12 Years A Slave” at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London. —AP/AFP photos Mike Hill for their work on the film “Rush”.
Years a Slave”, the distressing best film prize at a star-studded ceremony at drama “Captain Phillips”, space sci-fi thriller Hoffman, calling him “a continual profound tale of a man sold into slav- London’s Royal Opera House. It scored an “Gravity” and “Philomena”, the tale of an touchstone”, as she claimed her best actress “12ery, was the big winner at earlier success when British actor Chiwetel Irishwoman searching for a son taken by award for her part in Woody Allen’s “Blue the Baftas on Sunday, giving the Steve Ejiofor, who portrays free black man Northup nuns. However, “Philomena” did win in the Jasmine”. “Phil, buddy, this is for you, you McQueen directed picture a huge pre-Oscars as he is kidnapped and enslaved in the adapted screenplay category. Leading actor bastard,” she said. “I hope you’re proud.” boost. The film, adapted from Solomon United States, walked away with the best Steve Coogan praised the “real Philomena Northup’s 1853 memoir, took the coveted actor prize. Lee”, revealing that she was in the audience. Jolie surprise appearance Ejiofor said he was “so deeply honored Rising star Jennifer Lawrence won the best The British Academy of Film and and privileged” to receive the award and supporting actress award for her role in Television Arts awards are the highlight of praised McQueen. “This is yours by the way, I “American Hustle” and Barkhad Abdi claimed the British film calendar and a useful guide know that, you know that,” he told the direc- the best supporting actor prize for his por- to which way the Academy Awards might go tor. “I’m going to keep it but it’s yours”. trayal of a Somali pirate in “Captain Phillips”. on March 2. Hollywood stars including London-born McQueen used his acceptance McQueen missed out on the best director Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt rubbed shoul- speech to thank his “one and only mother” award, which instead went to Mexican ders with British royalty at the glitzy ceremo- and to highlight the issue of modern day Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity”. Accepting his ny. The superstar couple made an unexpect- slavery. “There are 21 million people in slav- award, he said: “You cannot tell from my ed appearance on the red carpet in matching ery as we sit here,” he explained. “I just hope accent but I consider myself a part of the tuxedos and signed autographs for hordes of 150 years from now our ambivalence will not British film industry”. The stellar adventure fans camped outside the venue. Bafta presi- allow another film-maker to make this film”. enjoyed a hugely successful evening, receiv- dent Prince William was also at the ceremo- McQueen’s work beat off competition ing six prizes. Australian Cate Blanchett paid ny, which was hosted for a ninth time by from crime-comedy “American Hustle”, pirate tribute to late colleague Philip Seymour actor Stephen Fry. He opened proceedings with a tribute to Helen Mirren, who received Bafta’s highest accolade, the Academy Fellowship “in recog- nition of her exceptional contribution to film”. Mirren, who has played Elizabeth II on stage and screen, was presented with the award by William, who called her “an extremely talented British actress who I should probably call granny”. The 68-year-old actress quoted Shakespeare’s Tempest during her acceptance speech. “We are such stuff as dreams are made on and our little life is rounded with a sleep,” she said. “My little life is rounded with this honor, thank you very much indeed.” The British capital has recently suffered freak storms, but conditions were fine if cold on Sunday, allowing stars to dazzle on the red carpet. Mirren wore a navy blue dress with chiffon sleeves while fellow dame Judi Dench, nominated for best actress, wore a dark velvet gown with turquoise cuffs. Oscar-winner Emma Thompson arrived wrapped up in a red dress and white coat with a huge furry collar, while “American Hustle” star Amy Adams posed for photographers in a floor-length Somali-American actor Barkhad Abdi black gown from Victoria Beckham. Leonardo poses with the award for a supporting Australian actress Cate Blanchett poses (From left) Neil Corbould, Nikki Penny, David Shirk, Chris Lawrence and Tim DiCaprio, Christian Bale and Tom Hanks, all actor for his work on the film “Captain with the award for a leading actress for Webber pose with their awards for special visual effects for their work on the film nominated in the Best Actor category, were Phillips” with presenter British actress also in London for the event. —AFP her work on the film “Blue Jasmine”. “Gravity”. Emma Thompson.
British composer Steven Price poses with the award for original music for his Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron and British producer David Heyman US director David O Russell and writer Eric Warren work on the film “Gravity” flanked by presenters British singer-songwriter pose flanking presenter US actress and TV personality Oprah Winfrey with Singer pose with their awards for an original Laura Mvula and British rapper Tinie Tempah. their awards for an outstanding British film for “Gravity”. screenplay for the film “American Hustle” flanking presenter US actor Stanley Tucci.