A German remake of anti-war classic “All Quiet on the Western Front” was the big winner at the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, triumphing in the key categories at the ceremony seen as an indicator for next month’s Oscars.
Based on the 1928 novel by German author Erich Maria Remarque about the horrors of World War One from the perspective of a young German soldier, the Netflix drama had led nominations, with 14 nods, making it one of the most recognised films not in the English language in BAFTA’s history.
It won seven awards overall: best film, adapted screenplay, film not in the English language, director for Edward Berger, cinematography, sound and original score.
Cate Blanchett won the leading actress prize for her portrayal of a gay conductor of a Berlin orchestra whose career comes tumbling down due to an abuse scandal in “Tár”, an undertaking she described as “very dangerous and career-ending potentially”.
“Banshees”, about two feuding friends on an island off the coast of Ireland, won outstanding British film, both supporting acting categories for Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan as well as original screenplay.
“Navalny”, about jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, won the documentary category. Filmmakers dedicated the award to the Navalny family and Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev.
Sandy Powell became the first costume designer to get the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honour bestowed by the Academy.
The BAFTAs also remembered Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth, who died in September. Actress Helen Mirren, who won both a BAFTA and an Oscar for her portrayal of Elizabeth in 2006 film “The Queen”, led a tribute.
Here are the complete list of winners:
Best Film – All Quiet on the Western Front
Leading Actress – Cate Blanchett, Tar
Leading Actor – Austin Butler, Elvis
Best Director – Edward Berger, All Quiet on the Western Front
Best Casting – Elvis
Best Cinematography – All Quiet on the Western Front
Adapted Screenplay – All Quiet On The Western Front, Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson, Ian Stokell
Editing – Everything Everywhere All At Once, Paul Rogers
Cinematography – All Quiet On The Western Front, James Friend
Best Documentary – Navalny (Daniel Roher)
EE Bafta Rising Star Award – Emma Mackey
Film Not In The English Language – All Quiet On The Western Front
Best Costume Design – Catherine Martin, Elvis
British Short Film – An Irish Goodbye
Make up & Hair – Elvis; Jason Baird, Mark Coulier, Louise Coulston, Shane Thomas
Production design – Babylon; Florencia Martin, Anthony Carlino
Sound – All Quiet On The Western Front; Lars Ginzsel, Frank Kruse, Viktor Prášil, Markus Stemler
Original Score – All Quiet On The Western Front; Volker Bertelmann
Supporting Actress – Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin
Supporting Actor – Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin