“Nothing new in the West,” the Baftas clarify

The German war drama «Nothing New in the West», nominated for nine Oscars, was approved three weeks before the award ceremony in Los Angeles at the British Film Awards, known as Baftas, and was named Best Picture.

Director Edward Berger’s film won a total of seven Bafta trophies in London on Sunday evening, more than any foreign-language film before it. “What a night, I can’t believe it,” said Berger enthusiastically, who also received the coveted Best Director award.

“It’s a German movie, for God’s sake, who’s going to vote for it?” joked the 53-year-old. In the press conference that followed, Berger got confused when counting the prizes. “I’m not so sure anymore. But it’s much more than we expected.”

The remake of Erich Maria Remarque’s novel was also awarded the Best Foreign Language Film award. Composer Volker Bertelmann alias Hauschka received a Bafta for his film music. The film about the horrors of World War I also received awards for cinematography, adapted screenplay and sound.

There were other surprises at London’s traditional Royal Festival Hall right on the south bank of the Thames. Cate Blanchett (“Tár”) won Best Actress against favorite Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”), Viola Davis (“The Woman King”) and Emma Thompson (“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”). The Australian-American actress was visibly overwhelmed and fought back tears during her acceptance speech.

For men, Austin Butler (“Elvis”) was happy with the Bafta for Best Actor. Visibly moved, he thanked Elvis Presley’s family for their trust. There were a total of four gold mask awards for the Baz Luhrmann biopic, including casting, costumes and makeup and hair. “Elvis” was already successful at the Golden Globes. Soon after, Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie died unexpectedly.

Top favorite Colin Farrell left empty-handed as the lead in “The Banshees Of Inisherin”). Yet Irish filmmaker Martin McDonagh’s tragic comedy received four Baftas – for supporting two actors Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan and for Best Original Screenplay. It was funny that the thoroughly Irish film also received an award for Outstanding British Film. “What price?” joked McDonagh before revealing that his movie was funded by Britain’s Channel 4.

The evening was a disappointment for the creators of the critically acclaimed fantasy hit “Everything Everywhere All At Once”. The crazy film, which competed in ten categories and is nominated for eleven Oscars, only received one Bafta award for editing in London.

On the other hand, Mexican filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro was delighted to receive the Bafta in the animated film category for his stop-motion musical «Pinocchio». “Animation should remain a topic of conversation,” said Del Toro.

The London-based British Academy of Film and Television Arts celebrates its 76th anniversary. The glamorous awards ceremony, attended by numerous international stars, was moderated by British actor Richard E. Grant (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), who jokingly advertised roles at the Royal Festival Hall.

In the presence of the heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Princess Kate, Dame Helen Mirren paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September. The 77-year-old Mirren received a Bafta and an Oscar in 2007 for her role as Elizabeth in the drama Received “The Queen” as Best Actress.

After the Oscars and the Golden Globes, the Bafta Awards are among the most coveted awards in the industry. After their film went empty-handed at the Golden Globes, Edward Berger and his team would eagerly await the Oscars. There, «Nothing New in the West» was nominated for Best Film and Best International Film, among other things. The Baftas have rarely been an indication of the Oscars in recent years. But chances are the war drama will take something away in Los Angeles as well. (sda/dpa)