Baftas 2023: ‘Conclave’ and ‘The Brutalist’ Triumph with Four Awards Each
At the 2023 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) held in London on Sunday, February 16, the papal thriller ‘Conclave’ and the monumental ‘The Brutalist’ emerged as the frontrunners, each claiming four coveted trophies. Amidst these triumphs, Emilia Pérez, amidst recent controversies, garnered two awards, two weeks ahead of the Oscars.
‘Conclave’: A Masterful Exploration of Power and Betrayal
Directed by German filmmaker Edward Berger, ‘Conclave’ was crowned Best Film, cementing its status as the favorite with 12 nominations. This triumph marks Berger’s second major win in London after his acclaimed adaptation of ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ two years ago. Berger spent nearly seven years dedicated to this project, delving into the intricate world of Vatican politics and the gripping election of a new pope.
‘The Brutalist’: Architectural Epic and Actor’s Tour de Force
‘The Brutalist’ made its mark with three prestigious awards, including Best Director for Brady Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody, who portrayed a Holocaust survivor and renowned architect. Brody’s performance resonated deeply with the actor, as he revealed, "My character allowed me to honor my own ancestors who fled Hungary and were refugees in the United States."
Mikey Madison’s Surprise Triumph as Best Actress
In a surprising turn of events, 25-year-old American actress Mikey Madison stole the spotlight by winning Best Actress for her captivating portrayal of a stripper in Sean Baker’s New York-based thriller ‘Anora.’ Overcoming the odds against frontrunner Demi Moore, Madison expressed her astonishment on stage, admitting, "I know you didn’t see that coming… I should have written something." She extended her gratitude to the filmmaker for enabling her to "live out [her] dreams."
‘Emilia Pérez’: A Musical Fresco with a Dual Bafta Victory
Jacques Audiard’s ‘Emilia Pérez,’ a musical epic centered around the gender transition of a Mexican drug lord, emerged with two awards for Best Film Not in the English Language and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana, who portrayed a lawyer named Rita. Saldana dedicated her award to her transgender nephew, stating, "He’s the reason I signed on to this film in the first place," and emphasizing her unwavering support for the LGBTQ community.
Controversy Surrounding ‘Emilia Pérez’
Despite its Bafta success, ‘Emilia Pérez’ faced scrutiny after the discovery of racially and Islamophobic tweets by cast member Karla Sofia Gascon. These revelations overshadowed the film’s accolades, prompting the removal of Gascon from promotional activities. Absent from the ceremony, she received a gesture of appeasement from Audiard, who had previously denounced her remarks as "odious" and "inexcusable." "I want to thank the wonderful artists who brought this film to life," Audiard declared, including "my dear Zoe, my dear Selena [Gomez]… and also you, my dear Karla Sofia, to whom I send a kiss."
Oscars on the Horizon: Baftas as Precursor
The Bafta awards hold significant sway as a precursor to the Oscars, slated to take place in Los Angeles in two weeks. Timothee Chalamet and his partner Kylie Jenner, Cynthia Erivo, Adrien Brody, and Ralph Fiennes were among the glittering stars in attendance at the Royal Festival Hall, hosted by Scottish ‘Doctor Who’ star David Tennant. This year’s ceremony notably proceeded without Prince William and his wife Kate, patrons of the Baftas.
Additional Award Highlights
American actor Kieran Culkin claimed Best Supporting Actor for his role in Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘A Real Pain,’ which also won for Best Original Screenplay. The latest adventure of Wallace and Gromit, ‘The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,’ bagged two awards, including Best Animated Film. Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune: Part Two’ and the musical sensation ‘Wicked’ scored only in technical categories, with ‘Dune’ winning for Best Visual Effects.
Conclusion
The 2023 Baftas celebrated the triumphs of ‘Conclave,’ ‘The Brutalist,’ and ‘Emilia Pérez,’ while also sparking conversations about representation and the impact of past actions. As the film industry sets its sights on the Oscars, the Bafta awards have cast their light on potential frontrunners and underscored the importance of storytelling that challenges and inspires.
