BAFTAs 2008 – The British Oscars
British Film Awards Set to Bring Glitz and Glamour to London
On February 10th Britain's answer to the Oscars, the BAFTAs, will be presented at The Royal Opera House in London. Find out all about the BAFTAs and who's been nominated.
The BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards) have been growing in importance and prestige over the last few years to become a proper red carpet affair. What can be expected from the BAFTAs 2008?
The Stars Come Out For BAFTA
This year, more than any other, the BAFTAs are expected to attract a cornucopia of stars. In part this is due to the ongoing writers' strike in America, which has already taken its toll on the Golden Globes. With so many Hollywood stars eager to stand shoulder to shoulder with the writers, the turn out for awards ceremonies is non-existent. A trip across the pond for the BAFTAs, Britain's version of the Oscars, may be the only chance for American movie stars to don their designer frocks and shimmy down the red carpet. It has to be said that our homegrown stars are shining particularly brightly in the firmament at the moment anyway, so even without the glamorous foreign in-flux, the BAFTAs would still look like a real Hollywood glitz-fest. Nominees Keira Knightly, Cate Blanchett and James McAvoy are just a few of the Brits already making a big splash in Tinsel Town.
Pre-Oscars Buzz About The Town
The BAFTAs split their Film and TV awards ceremonies into two separate occasions in 1998, and switched the film part of the awards process from April/May to February in 2002. This has helped to give the BAFTAs a bit of a pre-Oscars buzz, as opposed to the damp squib effect of its previous post-Oscars timing.
For many years the ceremony was resided over by one of Britain's own national treasures, Stephen Fry. Debonair, dry and witty, Fry keep things ticking over smoothly with many a humorous riposte. Last year he was replaced by Jonathan Ross, who returns again on February 10th . Ross is undoubtedly a natural successor to Fry, although his humor is more satirical and edgy – no doubt he'll be able to keep everyone on their toes.
The Nominations
Brit actresses Naomie Harris and Kelly Reilly announced the nominations for 2008.
The BIG FOUR are as follows:
Best Film
- AMERICAN GANGSTER – Brian Grazer/Ridley Scott
- ATONEMENT – Tim Bevan/Eric Fellner/Paul Webster
- THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Quirin Berg/Max Wiedemann
- NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Scott Rudin/Joel Coen/Ethan Coen
- THERE WILL BE BLOOD – JoAnne Sellar/Paul Thomas Anderson/Daniel Lupi
Best Director
- ATONEMENT – Joe Wright
- THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Paul Greengrass
- THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
- NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Joel Coen/Ethan Coen
- THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Actor in a Leading Role
- GEORGE CLOONEY – Michael Clayton
- DANIEL DAY-LEWIS – There Will Be Blood
- JAMES McAVOY – Atonement
- VIGGO MORTENSEN – Eastern Promises
- ULRICH MÜHE – The Lives of Others
Best Actress in a Leading Role
- CATE BLANCHETT – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
- JULIE CHRISTIE – Away From Her
- MARION COTILLARD – La Vie en Rose
- KEIRA KNIGHTLEY – Atonement
- ELLEN PAGE – Juno
Food For Thought?
So, few surprises there really. Atonement has garnered the most nominations (14), but it remains to be seen whether it will go on to win its categories. James McAvoy is hugely popular and must stand a good chance as Best Actor, but as it was only 12 short months ago that BAFTA awarded him their Rising Star Award, it is feasible that the academy might want to see a little more from him before they elevate him to the fully fledged status of Best Actor. George Clooney might be a better bet, BAFTA appreciates his serious side. No Country For Old Men as Best Film is another distinct possibility. It's had excellent reviews, but it might just be a little too relentless in terms of darkness and violence to get the big one. Maybe Atonement will sweep the board after all?
Keep up to date with who wins what directly from the BAFTA website.
