DIRECTOR Chloe Zhao’s meditative drama “Nomadland” emerged as the top winner at the virtual 74th British Academy Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) by bagging four major awards, including the best film. The movie’s lead star Frances McDormand picked up the best actress trophy while the best director award went to Zhao. The film was a winner in the cinematography category as well. Zhao, who became the first woman of colour to win the best director at the BAFTA, dedicated the award to the nomadic community who “generously welcomed” her team into their lives.

 

“They shared with us their dreams, their struggles, and their deep sense of dignity. Thank you for showing us that aging is a beautiful part of life, a journey that we should all cherish and celebrate. How we treat our elders says a lot about who we are as a society and we need to do better,” the director said in her acceptance speech. The film’s win at the BAFTA’s consolidates its chances as the front-runner at the Oscars later this month. McDormand couldn’t connect virtually for the event but thanked the BAFTAs in a written message. “Thank you, dear British people. I humbly accept this honour on behalf of the ‘Nomadland’ tribe and company. We salute you,” she said.

 

Anthony Hopkins-starrer “The Father” won the best actor award for the veteran star, a category where India’s Aadarsh Gourav was also nominated for his role in “The White Tiger”. Hopkins, who earned his eighth BAFTA nomination with “The Father”, said, acting is like a way of life for him. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, James McAvoy, David Oyelowo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Pedro Pascal, Richard E Grant, Cynthia Erivo and Hugh Grant presented the awards. The 2021 BAFTA Awards were announced this weekend over two consecutive nights.

Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor remembered INDIAN stars Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor, who died in April 2020, were among the individuals who were honoured at BAFTA’s ‘in memoriam’ segment, which also paid tribute to Prince Philip, Chadwick Boseman and Christopher Plummer. ‘In Memoriam’ segment honours personalities lost in the past year. Irrfan, one of the first stars from India to have made major strides internationally, lost his two year battle with neuroendocrine cancer on April 29, 2020 at the age of 54. Kapoor, a romantic hero of many Bollywood hits and in later years, a respected character actor, died just a day later, on April 30, also from cancer. He was 67.