In the west, nothing is newa German production from Netflix, won a very large following on Sunday evening by winning seven BAFTAs, the British film awards, including those for best film and best director for Edward Berger.
A century after Erich Maria Remarque’s famous 1929 pacifist novel brought to the screen here, producer Malte Grunert has underlined how relevant its message is.
” In the west, nothing is new tells the story of young men who, poisoned by right-wing nationalist political propaganda, go to war thinking it’s an adventure,” he said, yet “war is anything but an adventure.”
The film, which follows a young German soldier during the First World War, was awarded in seven categories during this 76e BAFTA ceremony, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London. It was released on both Netflix and theatrically in the UK.
Nominated in 14 categories in total, he equaled Tiger and Dragon (2000) for the number of nominations for a film made in a language other than English. He is also multiple Oscar nominees next month.
Cate Blanchett wins the BAFTA for best actress for her role as the ruthless conductor in Tar, and hailed an “extraordinary year for women” as she received her award.
American Austin Butler won the best actor award for his role in the biopic. Elvis on the rock’n’roll legend, winning at the expense of Colin Farrell, who was among the big favorites for The Banshees of Inisherin.
“Better what? »
This tragicomedy about the sudden breakdown of a friendship ultimately won four awards, notably for the best supporting roles awarded to Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon.
It also won in the category of best original screenplay and best British film, although the feature film is very largely Irish. “All the Irish cast and crew are going to be wondering what’s better? ” joked the director, British, of the film, Martin McDonagh.
Ireland was particularly in the spotlight this year: a quarter of the 24 nominations in the acting categories went to Irish people thanks to the “Banshees” (four Irish actors nominated), but also with My dates with Leo And aftersunnamed in the category of the best actor with respectively the Irish Daryl McCormack and Paul Mescal.
Nominated in ten categories, the feature film Everything Everywhere All at Oncewhere Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh plays a laundry owner immersed in parallel universes only won the BAFTA for Best Editing.
In total this year, 45 films were nominated in one or more categories, down slightly from last year (48).
Tribute to the Queen
The prize for best documentary went to Navalny, devoted to the Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny, against a backdrop of controversy, after the boss of the Bellingcat investigation site, Christo Grozev, was prevented from attending the ceremony for security reasons. London police cited the risk of “hostile intentions of foreign states”.
More than five months after the death of Elizabeth II, Helen Mirren presented a tribute to the Queen. The 77-year-old actress won an Oscar and a BAFTA for her portrayal of the sovereign in the film The Queen in 2006.
Prince William, the Queen’s grandson and BAFTA chairman since 2010, attended the ceremony with his wife, Kate, for the first time since 2019.
The BAFTA ceremony, like that of the Golden Globes, gives a taste of the Oscars, which will be awarded on March 12 in Los Angeles.