Movies In Focus Attends The 2015 Baftas And The Full List Of Winners
This is the first time I’ve went into the Baftas with such a clear opinion of who I wanted to win. It was Birdman of course, Alejandro Gonzále’s mesmerising drama starring Michael Keaton. It was never going to be easy though, as Gonzále’s film was up against the might of The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything and Boyhood. Keaton’s performance alone could be praised at length though I knew he was never going to truly win when he was against British Eddie Redmayne’s turn as Stephen Hawking. Redmayne had just too much momentum going in and of course the Brits always like to keep these things homegrown whenever they can.
My fears were fully realised and Redmayne walked away with the acting honours, while Birdman only scored for Emmanuel Lubzeki’s scorching cinematography. Wes Anderson‘s The Grand Budapest Hotel won five awards including Best Screenplay, but the major surprise was that The Imitation Game was simply ignored and Richard Linklater’s Boyhood took home awards in three of the main categories.
I’ve done this red carpet gig several times now and this year I was at the top of the red carpet opposite the entrance to London’s Royal Opera House. It helped that the weather was glorious, Spring-like, giving the evening a wonderful glow. It was a great spot to see the attendees at the 2015 British Academy of Film and Television Arts, seeing the likes of Michael Keaton, Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, Stephen Hawking, Cuba Gooding Jr, Ethan Hawke, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Noomi Rapace, Benedict Cumberbatch and a host of others. There was a rumour that the red carpet titan himself, Tom Cruise, would make a appearance but it wasn’t to be, although he did announce the best picture winner (Boyhood).
Once everyone had entered the Royal Opera House we were ushered to the cinema room in Soho House for food and cocktails. We were then able to kick-back, rest our weary feet and watch the awards show on the big screen. Stephen Fry once again hosted, delivering quips in his patented dry humour.
Regretfully I didn’t get the Birdman awards sweep that I’d wanted but I did have a great evening celebrating the power and might of cinema.
The Winners:
Outstanding British Film – The Theory of Everything
Original Music – The Grand Budapest Hotel
Documentary – Citizen Four
Hair & Makeup – The Grand Budapest Hotel
Production Design – The Grand Budapest Hotel
British Short – Boogaloo and Graham
British Short Animation – The Bigger Picture
Editing – Whiplash
Sound – Whiplash
Animated Film – The Lego Movie
Special Visual Effects – Interstellar
Supporting Actor – JK Simmons, Whiplash
Outstanding British Contribution to Film - BBC Films
Best Supporting Actress – Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Cinematography – Birdman
Outstanding debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer – Pride
Original Screenplay – Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Film in a Foreign Language – Ida
Best Adapted Screenplay – The Theory of Everything
Costume – The Grand Budapest Hotel
EE Rising Star Award – Jack O’Connell
Director – Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Lead Actor – Eddie Redmayne
Lead Actress – Julianne Moore
Best Film – Boyhood
