14 DAY TRIAL // “Avatar” might be the biggest sensation in terms of critical and commercial success in the US and in most territories oversees, but the British Academy Film Awards have crowned “The Hurt Locker” as the winner at this year’s edition. The film, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, took home no less than 6 different awards at last night’s ceremony, including in major categories like Best Film and Best Director, as the Los Angeles Times’ Gold Derby can confirm.
This is clearly awards season: after the Golden Globes set the tone of the season, the BAFTAs are here to offer even more indications as to which productions will get to take home the much coveted Academy Award come the March 7 ceremony. Judging by last night’s winners, “The Hurt Locker” and director Kathryn Bigelow are the strongest contenders for the Oscars, having won 6 statuettes at the BAFTAs of the 8 nominations it got.
“Unlike this year’s Oscars, there were only five films nominated for the top BAFTA and the winner was decided by a simple vote count. Of the four other nominees, all of which are also in contention at the Oscars, ‘Avatar’ took two of its eight races, production design and visual effects; ‘An Education’ prevailed with just one of its eight nominations, best actress (Carey Mulligan); ‘Up in the Air’ went one for six winning adapted screenplay; and ‘Precious’ came out on top in one of its four categories, supporting actress (Mo’Nique),” the aforementioned movie-oriented publication says.
“The lead acting BAFTAs went to two homegrown stars, neither of whom is favored at the Oscars: Colin Firth winning the only award for ‘A Single Man’ and Mulligan doing the same for ‘An Education.’ However, the supporting BAFTAs were won by, no surprise, Christoph Waltz (‘Inglourious Basterds’) and Mo’Nique,” Gold Derby adds, arguing that, though most years the BAFTA acting winners went on to take home an Oscar as well, this time things will be different.
As for the productions that usually win Best Film at the BAFTAs, they rarely get to take the Oscar as well for the simple reason that the nominees are stronger in the latter awards ceremony. Still, exceptions do exist and, judging by the hype around “The Hurt Locker,” it too could turn out to be one. Below is the complete list of winners at the BAFTAs 2010:
- Best Film: “The Hurt Locker” - Outstanding British Film: “Fish Tank” - Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker” - Leading Actor: Colin Firth, “A Single Man” - Leading Actress: Carey Mulligan, “An Education” - Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds” - Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious” - Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, “The Hurt Locker” - Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner “Up in the Air” - Animated Film: “Up” - Film Not in the English Language: “A Prophet” (France) - Music: Michael Giacchino, “Up” - Editing: “The Hurt Locker” - Cinematography: “The Hurt Locker” - Production Design: “Avatar” - Costume Design: “The Young Victoria” - Sound: “The Hurt Locker” - Special Visual Effects: “Avatar” - Makeup & Hair: “The Young Victoria” - Short Animation: “Mother Of Many” - Short Film: “I Do Air” - Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer: Duncan Jones, Director, “Moon” - The Orange Rising Star Award (voted for by public): Kristen Stewart - Academy Fellowship: Vanessa Redgrave - Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: Joe Dunton