BAFTA Film Nominations: Jaw-Droppers and Head-Scratchers
The BAFTA film nominations have been announced, and as always, they have left us with a mix of jaw-dropping surprises and head-scratching exclusions. These nominations are often seen as a precursor to the Oscars, but in recent years, there has been less overlap between the two awards shows. This is partly due to the jury intervention in selecting the BAFTA nominees, particularly in the directing and acting categories, where we often see the most shocking snubs and unexpected inclusions.
While the BAFTA nominations don’t directly impact the Oscar voters, they do provide us with clues about what we can expect when the Academy Award nominations are announced. Here are five things we learned from this year’s BAFTA nominations.
“Barbie” fails to impress international voters
One of the most surprising outcomes of the BAFTA nominations is the lack of recognition for “Barbie.” This meta-comedy film received a lot of attention after its underwhelming performance at the Golden Globes, where it only won in the original song category. However, it fared better at the Critics Choice Awards, taking home six trophies. Despite landing in 15 categories on the BAFTA longlist, “Barbie” only managed to secure five nominations, excluding best film and directing. This suggests that international voters may not respond as enthusiastically to a movie about a toy doll. It also raises concerns about a potential snub for Greta Gerwig, who became the first woman to direct a billion-dollar movie. However, some observers argue that the fact that “Barbie” made it this far is impressive enough.
History repeats itself with surprising omissions
It’s worth noting that a film’s performance at the BAFTAs doesn’t always align with its success at the Oscars. Last year, “CODA” missed out on best film and directing nominations at the BAFTAs but went on to win the Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Similarly, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” only won one BAFTA trophy for editing but ended up with seven wins at the Oscars. So, while the BAFTA nominations provide some insights, they don’t necessarily determine the outcome of the Oscars.
Jonathan Glazer and Justine Triet make waves in the directing category
The directing category at the BAFTAs is particularly challenging to analyze due to the jury’s involvement in selecting the nominees. However, two names that stand out are Jonathan Glazer for “The Zone of Interest” and Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall.” Many industry experts believe that these international filmmakers could also secure Oscar nominations. The question is, who would they replace among the three snubbed auteurs? This inclusion of both Glazer and Triet might be a clue that actress Sandra Hüller, who stars in both films, could make history by receiving double acting nominations for her outstanding performances in non-English language films.
Bradley Cooper’s inclusion defies online discourse
Bradley Cooper’s nomination for “Maestro” at the BAFTAs raises questions about his chances in the directing category. Despite some online discourse predicting his exclusion, Cooper has been consistently recognized by various awards shows, including the Directors Guild of America, Golden Globes, and now BAFTA. This suggests that he shouldn’t be counted out just yet.
Lily Gladstone faces an uphill battle
Lily Gladstone’s Oscar campaign took a hit with her snub at the BAFTAs for “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Her closest competitor, Emma Stone from “Poor Things,” received a nomination instead. Stone has been gaining momentum, winning the Golden Globe for lead actress in a comedy and taking home the lead actress prize at the Critics Choice Awards. With only the SAG Awards left as a chance to build momentum, Gladstone’s path to victory becomes more challenging. The BAFTA Awards could provide Stone with an opportunity to solidify her position, unless Sandra Hüller manages to pull off a surprise win.
“The Holdovers” emerges as a dark horse contender
Alexander Payne’s heartfelt dramedy, “The Holdovers,” has been flying under the radar as a potential contender. Despite the attention given to films like “Barbie,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Oppenheimer,” and “Poor Things,” “The Holdovers” managed to secure seven notable nominations at the BAFTAs, including a spot among the top five films recognized for best film. With strong performances from Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, as well as a viable contender for original screenplay, this film shouldn’t be overlooked. Additionally, Dominic Sessa’s BAFTA nomination could be a sign that he’s on his way to recognition as a breakout star.
“Oppenheimer” emerges as a frontrunner
One film that has been consistently nominated at every major guild and televised ceremony is “Oppenheimer.” Christopher