The Bafta Film Awards celebrated a night of cinematic excellence, with "Conclave" and "The Brutalist" emerging as the top winners. "Conclave" claimed the prestigious titles of best film and best British film, marking a historic achievement as the first movie to secure both accolades since "1917". Meanwhile, Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist", a 3.5-hour epic with an intermission, won critical acclaim and took home four awards, including best director.
Warwick Davis received the Bafta Fellowship, the British Academy's highest honor, acknowledging his significant contributions to the film industry. The ceremony maintained a high energy throughout, with stars in good spirits despite some grappling with jet lag and hunger. Adrien Brody, who won best actor, humorously remarked that his enthusiasm was somewhat tempered by hunger.
Zoe Saldaña continued her awards season triumph in the best supporting actress category, adding another Bafta win to her collection. Additionally, "Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl" garnered two awards for its producer Richard Beek and directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. The evening commenced with a musical performance by host David Tennant, setting a lively tone for the event.
Mikey Madison, star of "Anora", captured the best actress award. Her acceptance speech was candid and heartfelt, as she admitted to being overwhelmed by the recognition. Despite not having prepared a speech, she expressed immense gratitude for the honor.
"I just wish that I'd had a better speech," Mikey Madison confessed during her acceptance.
"I was on a talk show and Robert De Niro told me not to write a speech and I thought, I should probably listen to him. And I forgot to thank so many important people," she added, capturing the room's empathy.
"I think I'm a little disassociated right now," she admitted, reflecting on the surreal experience of being amongst her idols.
"I love making movies, and being an actress is my dream, and for my film to be recognised like this is incredibly special," Madison shared, highlighting her passion for the craft.
"I don't know if I'll ever fully grasp the magnitude of being in a room like that, full of my idols, incredible creatives who I admire so much," she concluded.
Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist" not only impressed with its artistic prowess but also resonated with audiences worldwide, amassing $30 million globally. Corbet emphasized the significance of uncompromising filmmaking.
"They were all believable cardinals, all different nationalities and accents, it just felt they were all different instruments in a big musical piece," Corbet remarked about the diverse cast of "Conclave".
"It'll be amazing when it's done, I'm looking forward to getting back to work," Corbet noted, eager for future projects.
Merlin Crossingham expressed pride in the distinctly British humor embedded within "Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl", which found an audience beyond British shores.
"It is remarkable that our very Britishness is embraced in America," Crossingham commented on the film's international reception.
"There are some jokes, like Anton Deck, which are very British. In the American screenings, there was complete silence apart from one Brit guffawing in the corner," he recounted with amusement.
"But we're very proud of that, we stick to our guns. Apart from one or two very specific gags like that, it seems to be embraced," Crossingham added, underscoring the universal appeal of their work.
Adrien Brody's candid reaction to his win added a touch of levity to the evening.
"I haven't eaten anything yet, so I'm not sure how I'm feeling, but I'm so happy to be here," Brody quipped as he accepted his award.
The ceremony also highlighted a rich blend of British and American culture, with humor tailored specifically for British audiences. This mix added a unique flavor to the event, resonating with attendees from both sides of the Atlantic.
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