Politically charged thriller “One Battle After Another” dominated the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) on Sunday, taking home six prizes including Best Picture, while boosting its momentum ahead of the Oscars next month.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s film, about revolutionaries clashing with the state, also won awards for directing, adapted screenplay, cinematography, editing, and Sean Penn’s supporting role as an obsessed military officer. Anderson paid tribute to his late assistant director Adam Somner, who passed away during production.
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her role in “Hamnet”, becoming the first Irish performer to claim the award. Robert Aramayo caused a major upset by winning Best Actor for “I Swear,” a British indie drama about a campaigner for people with Tourette syndrome.
“Sinners” earned three awards, including original screenplay, musical score, and Wunmi Mosaku’s supporting actress prize for her role as herbalist Annie. Gothic horror “Frankenstein” won three awards for production design, costume design, and makeup and hair. Norwegian drama “Sentimental Value” took Best Film Not in the English Language, while the documentary prize went to “Mr. Nobody Against Putin”, highlighting the moral courage of a Russian teacher documenting propaganda.
The ceremony, hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming at London’s Royal Festival Hall, drew Hollywood stars, British celebrities, and the Prince and Princess of Wales. The BAFTAs, often considered an Oscars bellwether, saw “Sinners” leading with 16 Oscar nominations, followed by “One Battle After Another” with 13.
The Rising Star award, determined by public vote, went to Aramayo, and NBCUniversal chairwoman Donna Langley received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship.
