BAFTA Film Awards 2023: All Quiet On The Western Front breaks ceremony’s foreign film record
All Quiet On The Western Front has made history, scoring the highest number of BAFTAs for a foreign language film with seven awards – including the night’s big prize for best film.
The Netflix anti-war epic movie had led the BAFTA nominations with 14, equalling the record set in 2001 by Crouching Tiger as a non-English language film with the most nods.
Ian Stokell, Lesley Paterson and Edward Berger accept the adapted screenplay Award for All Quiet on the Western Front
Edward Berger’s reworking of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1928 novel of the same name took the prizes for best director, film not in the English language, adapted screenplay, cinematography and original score and sound, as well as best film.
Its seven wins break the record for the highest number of BAFTAs won by a foreign language film – previously held by Italian coming-of-age drama Cinema Paradiso, which claimed five in 1988.
Director Berger told Sky News: “Best director is the one I never thought would work. It’s a German movie, for Christ’s sake!”
Speaking on stage while accepting the award for best picture, cinematographer James Friend said the film showed how a generation of young German men were “poisoned by right-wing nationalistic propaganda” and he stressed that the film’s message remains relevant nearly a century on.
Berger also paid tribute to those currently fighting in Ukraine, his comments adding to a political flavour on the night, with many stars including Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell and Michelle Yeoh all wearing a blue ribbon to show their solidarity and support for refugees and displaced people around the world.
Martin McDonagh’s Irish tragi-comedy The Banshees Of Inisherin – which tells a tale of male friendship gone sour – took four gongs, as did Baz Luhrmann’s whirlwind biopic Elvis, about the king of rock and roll.
Austin Butler, 31, was named best actor for his portrayal of Elvis, who died prematurely aged 42 in 1977. The emotional star paid tribute to the Presley family as he accepted his award, saying: “I cannot thank you enough for your love… this means the world to me.”
Elvis’s only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, died last month aged just 54.
Many had expected Banshees star Farrell to take the best actor prize, so this win was one of the surprises of the night.
Blanchett picked up the best actress award, calling the role of monstrous maestro Lydia Tar, “dangerous and potentially career-ending”.
Becoming emotional towards the end of her speech, she paid tribute to her family – listing her mother and four children – who she said had to put up with her absence for long periods of time while she was working on the movie.
The Banshees of Inisherin saw a double win in the supporting actor and actress categories, with Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan taking the prizes.
Condon’s win followed a brief mix-up, when a miscommunication between a sign language translator and deaf Oscar-winning actor Troy Kotsur, who was presenting the award, saw Carey Mulligan initially announced as the winner.
Read more:
As it happened: BAFTA Awards 2023 live
How to watch all the BAFTA nominated films
Troy Kotsur presented the best supporting actress award to ,The Banshees Of Inisherin star Kerry Condon
With the translator quickly correcting himself, the ceremony soon got back on track, with Condon thanking the cast – as well as her horses and dogs – for the win.
Multiverse sci-fi Everything Everywhere All At Once, indie hit Aftersun, James Cameron blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Water and 1920s Hollywood love-letter Babylon all took once gong each.
For the first time, this year’s awards were held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the Southbank in London.
The night was hosted by actor Richard E Grant, who led the show from the auditorium, and This Morning presenter Alison Hammond who spoke to the stars in a new BAFTA studio, giving viewers at home an access-all-areas experience of one of the biggest nights in film.
For the first time in BAFTA history, four of the night’s 25 categories were broadcast live – meaning those in the auditorium got to hear the biggest winners at the same time as the viewing public, most likely prompted by the show’s bosses striving to stay relevant in a landscape of ever-declining award show audiences.
Ariana DeBose was among the night’s musical performers
There were also live music performances from US actress Ariana DeBose, London-born rapper Little Simz and musician Dylan.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were among those in attendance, and Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren led a tribute to the late Queen.
While four-time BAFTA winner Blanchett called 2022 an “extraordinary year for women” in her best actress acceptance speech, just one woman – Gina Prince-Bythewood, who directed The Woman King – made the best director category, and she missed out on the prize – which went to Berger for All Quiet On The Western Front.
While men dominated the BAFTA film shortlist, and no female-directed films made it into the best film category, the outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer category was an all-female shortlist of talent; the writer and director of Aftersun, Charlotte Wells, took that award.
Ahead of the ceremony, when asked about the possibility of gender-neutral performance categories – as the Brits has adopted – BAFTA chief executive Jane Millichip said there was “no timeline” for making a decision as they want to get it right, and they are currently consulting with organisations such as GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).
Davina McCall’s partner has said she is out of surgery after undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour.
The 57-year-old television presenter had revealed in a video posted on Instagram earlier today she had a benign brain tumour, a colloid cyst, which she described as “very rare”.
She said the chances of having it were “three in a million,” and she had discovered it a few months ago, after a company offered her a health scan in return for giving a menopause talk.
She also announced she would be having the surgery this evening.
Now her partner – hairdresser Michael Douglas – has posted on social media to say the operation went well.
He said: “Hey all. Davina is out of surgery and according to the surgeon it was textbook! She’s currently recovering in ICU as a precaution, as you can imagine she’s utterly exhausted.
“Thanks so much for all the love from everyone on here… it’s powerful stuff, we are super grateful.”
McCall at the National Television Awards this year. Pic: PA
McCall earlier said the tumour’s discovery came as a shock.
She said: “I slightly put my head in the sand for a while, and then I saw quite a few neurosurgeons, I got lots of opinions. I realised that I have to get it taken out.”
McCall described it as “big”, 14mm wide, adding: “It needs to come out, because if it grows it would be bad.”
She explained that she would have it removed via a craniotomy, describing the procedure: “They go through the top of my head here and through the two halves of my brain to the middle.
“They get the cyst, take it out, empty it, and Bob’s your uncle.”
She added before the surgery: “Say a prayer for me, I am in good spirits.”
She said she would be in hospital “for around nine days”, but during her recovery, she would be “off my phone for a while”.
Joking and smiling, she urged fans “not to worry about me”, admitting, “I’m doing that enough!”
She went on to counter that, explaining: “I’m not worrying too much, and I am in a good space, and I have all the faith in the world in my surgeon and his team, and I’m handing the reins over to him. He knows what he’s doing, and I’m going to do the getting better bit after.”
She signed off saying, “see you on the other side”.
Celebrity friends were quick to send their support, with stars including Rylan, Alan Carr and Holly Willoughby sending love.
According to the NHS, non-cancerous brain tumours are slow-growing and unlikely to spread, but are still serious and can be life-threatening.
McCall rose to fame presenting on MTV in the mid-1990s, and later on Channel 4’s Streetmate, before becoming a household name as the host of Big Brother from 2000 to 2010.
She’s gone on to present programmes across the networks, and currently presents ITV dating show My Mum, Your Dad.
McCall with the first UK Big Brother winner Craig Phillips in 2000. Pic: PA
Last year, McCall was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.
In recent years, McCall has spoken regularly on women’s health and the effects of menopause in a bid to break taboos around the subject. Her 2022 book, Menopausing, won book of the year at the British Book Awards.
Read more:
Gary Lineker discusses split from Match Of The Day
First Glastonbury tickets sell out in 30 minutes
The same year, McCall fronted the Channel 4 documentary Davina McCall: Sex, Mind And The Menopause, and told the BBC that the perimenopausal symptoms caused her difficulties multi-tasking and she considered that she had a brain tumour or Alzheimer’s disease at the time.
The presenter has previously raised money for Cancer Research UK by running for Race For Life in honour of her late sister, Caroline Baday, who died from lung cancer in 2012 at the age of 50.
Married twice, McCall has three children, two daughters and a son, with her second husband, presenter Matthew Robertson.
She has lived with Douglas since 2022, and they present a weekly lifestyle podcast together, Making The Cut.
Stars have rushed to share their support after Davina McCall revealed she’s undergoing surgery to remove a rare brain tumour.
The presenter shared the news in a short Instagram video, telling fans the benign tumour is called a colloid cyst and is around 14mm wide.
McCall explained it “needed to come out, because if it grows it would be bad,” and described a procedure called a craniotomy which would remove the cyst through the top of her head.
The former Big Brother host said she was “in good spirits,” and would be in hospital “for around nine days” following the procedure.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Davina McCall diagnosed with rare brain tumour.
It’s not clear on which day McCall’s surgery is scheduled, or if she has had the procedure yet.
Quick to share his love with the 57-year-old star, presenter Rylan wrote: “We’re all thinking of you beautiful,” while comedian Alan Carr wrote: “Big love my darling!!”
Read more from Sky News:
Gary Lineker discusses split from Match Of The Day
First Glastonbury tickets sell out in 30 minutes
Ex-This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby wrote: “I’m sending you all the love and then a whole lot more,” and singer Ashley Roberts added: “All the love gorgeous one!! Sending all the healing vibes. Love you!!”
Former Popstars judge and presenter Nicki Chapman wrote: “You and I have chatted about this day… you are in amazing hands with your surgeon and the team. Everyone loves you.
“Thank you for not only being a brave girl but for sharing your condition. You will help sooooo many other people. big hugs. 30-second rule. See you soon N xx.”
Actress and chef Lisa Faulkner wrote: “Sending all my love to you. Best wishes and all positive prayers for a speedy recovery”.
McCall’s current partner, hairdresser Michael Douglas, has said he will be sharing updates from her account while she is “off-grid” and recovering, assuring fans the presenter is “in great shape and in very good hands”.
Other celebrities to share positive thoughts included Stacey Dooley, Donna Air, Helen Skelton, Denise Van Outen and Kimberly Wyatt.
McCall rose to fame presenting on MTV in the mid-1990s, and later on Channel 4’s Streetmate, before becoming a household name as the host of Big Brother from 2000 to 2010.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
She’s gone on to present programmes across the networks, and last year was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.
She has three children with her second husband, presenter Matthew Robertson.
Conan O’Brien has been announced as the host of next year’s Oscars.
It’s the Emmy Award-winning comedian’s first time heading up the ceremony, which is Hollywood‘s most high-profile showbiz event.
“America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars,” O’Brien said in a statement.
Conan O’Brien. Pic: AP
He also shared a spoof short video on social media, showing him clasping an Oscar statuette and thanking the Academy for his Oscar, before clarifying he was hosting the show rather than receiving an award.
The 61-year-old TV presenter, writer, producer and comedian is best known for hosting the late-night talk shows Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien and Conan.
Before fronting his own self-named shows, he wrote for the enormously popular US late-night sketch show Saturday Night Live and the long-running satirical cartoon The Simpsons.
Read more from Sky News:
Davina McCall diagnosed with rare brain tumour
Gary Lineker discusses split from Match Of The Day
First Glastonbury tickets sell out in 30 minutes
Recently fronting a travelogue, Conan O’Brien Must Go, he currently hosts the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.
Over his career, he has won five Primetime Emmys and earned 31 nominations for his work.
The last two years of the Oscars were hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who recently became emotional about Donald Trump’s re-election, and before that Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes shared the stage.
Between 2019 and 2021 the Oscars went without a main presenter.
O’Brien filming in Mexico in 2017, for his show Conan Without Borders. Pic: AP
Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan said in a statement: “Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host, he is incredibly witty, charismatic and funny and has proven himself to be a master of live event television.
“We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting and celebratory show for Hollywood’s biggest night.”
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
While voting is yet to get underway, The Brutalist, Emilia Perez and Anora are among the early favourites to pick up gongs, according to bookmakers.
The 97th Oscars, which will celebrate films from 2024, will be held on Sunday 2 March 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports7 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Environment1 year agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway