Continuing its winning streak, "Three Billboards Outside Missouri, Ebbing" won big at the Baftas as the critically-acclaimed crime drama earned five major awards at the ceremony, including Best Film and Best Actress for Francis McDormand. The movie about an angry mother who goes to extremes to keep the investigation focused on her daughter's murder was also recognised in the Best British Film category as the echo of Hollywood's #TimesUp movement against sexual harassment resonated at the Royal Albert Hall here. While director Martin McDonagh won the golden mask for Original Screenplay, Sam Rockwell received the Bafta for Best Supporting Actor in the movie.
"Our film is a hopeful one in lots of ways but it's also an angry one, and as we've seen this year, sometimes anger is the only way to get people to listen and to change, so we're thrilled that Bafta has recognised this," McDonagh said as he accepted the award for Best Film. In her rousing acceptance speech, McDormand registered her support to the wave of activism initiated by her film and thanked studios for "carefully shepherding Martin's films, Guillermo's (Del Toro) films, because not only are they entertaining, they encourage a longer and broader cultural conversation". The celebrities attending the Bafta Awards turned up at the red carpet of the event in black in solidarity with #TimesUp, except McDormand and Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. Touching upon the glaring stand-out moment, the actor said, "Martin said I have a little trouble with compliance... But I want you to know that I stand in full solidarity with my sisters tonight in black." Middleton courted slight controversy as she appeared in a green Jenny Packham dress, with a black sash underneath her bust, which accentuated her seven-month baby bump - a nod some recognised. Some said it is forbidden for members of the royal family to register the comment in political protests or movements. Fantasy drama "The Shape of Water" earned Guillermo del Toro his maiden Bafta in the Best Director category. The filmmaker had won a Bafta for his 2007 Spanish film "Pan's Labyrinth" in the Best Film Not in the English Language segment. The movie, which chronicles a unique bond between a lab cleaning lady and a sea monster, managed to bag a total of three awards (including Original Music and Production Design) after scoring impressive 12 nods at the 71st British Academy Film Awards. Gary Oldman won the much-anticipated Best Actor in a Leading Role award for immortalising former British PM Winston Churchill in the World War II drama, "Darkest Hour".
The actor remembered Churchill on his third Bafta victory, describing how the British statesman "in those dark uncertain days in 1940 held the line for honour, for integrity and freedom, for his nation". The Joe Wright directorial also won the Bafta in the Make Up and Hair category. Daniel Kaluuya may have missed out on the Best Actor award but the actor won the EE Rising Star award for his performance in "Get Out". On his first Bafta win, the actor gave an emotional speech in which he thanked his mother and also expressed his gratitude to the British arts funding for helping "product of arts of funding" like him. "I feel so privileged to be in your guys' company... There's a countdown I wasn't supposed to say that but I've said it now," Kaluuya laughed then continued with a shout saying, "We break all the rules!" Veteran director Ridley Scott was honoured with a Fellowship at the British Academy Film Awards. Alison Janney also won her first Bafta for her portrayal of LaVona Fay Golden, the mother of disgraced figure skater, Tonya Harding in the film "I, Tonya". "Phantom Thread" bagged its sole Bafta in Best Costume segment, like "Coco" and "Call Me By Your Name" for Best Animation and Best Adapted Screenplay. Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk" also managed to score one Bafta in the Best Sound category. The award for Best Editing went to "Baby Driver". South Korean erotic psychological thriller "The Handmaiden" won the Bafta for Film Not in the English. "Blade Runner 2049" won in two segments - Best Cinematography and Best Special Visual Effects. "Cowboy Dave" and "Poles Apart" won the Baftas for Best Short and Best Short Animation. While "I Am Not A Witch" was recognised as the Outstanding Debut by British Writer, Director or Producer, "I Am Not Your Negro" won award for Best Documentary.
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