The anti-militarist “In the West, nothing new” wins at the BAFTAs
NetFlix German film All Quiet on the Western Front has won seven BAFTA awards.
In the West, Nothing New, a German-language production by Netflix, imposed itself very largely on Sunday evening by winning seven BAFTAs, the British film awards, including those for best film and for 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.< /p>
“In the West nothing newtells 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 crowned in seven categories at this 76th BAFTA ceremony, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London. It was released on both Netflix and theatrically in the UK.
Nominated in a total of 14 categories, it equaled Tiger and Dragon (2000) for the number of nominations for a film made in a language other than English. He is also nominated for several Oscars 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” upon receiving her award.
American Austin Butler won the best actor award for his role in the biopic Elvis about the rock'n'roll legend, beating Colin Farrell, who appeared a top favorite for The Banshees of Inisherin.
“Best what? »
This tragicomedy about the sudden breakdown of a friendship ultimately won four awards, notably for 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 better what? joked the British director of the film, Martin McDonagh.
Ireland was particularly honored this year: a quarter of the 24 nominations in the acting categories went to Irish thanks to the “Banshees” (four named Irish actors), but also with My dates with Leo and Aftersun, nominated in the category of best actor with Irish Daryl McCormack and Paul Mescal respectively.
Nominated in ten categories, the feature film Everything Everywhere All at Once, where Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh plays a laundromat 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 was awarded to Navalny, devoted to the Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny, against a backdrop of controversy, after the boss of the Bellingcat investigative 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 queen in The Queen in 2006.
Prince William, grandson of the queen and president of the BAFTAs since 2010, attended the ceremony with his wife, Kate, for the first time since 2019.
The BAFTAs, like the Golden Globes, give a taste of the Oscar, which will be presented on March 12 in Los Angeles.
