The BAFTA Awards commenced with elegance as the nominated ladies flaunted their designer dresses across the red carpet, this combined wonderfully with the multiple wins for 1917 and Parasite; as well as the standing ovation for ‘Outstanding Contribution’ winner Andy Serkis. But most importantly, Joaquin Phoenix calling out BAFTAs on the lack of diversity within the industry dominated the night in London. Let’s look back on the most poignant and heartfelt moments from the 2020 BAFTA Awards.
Standing ovation for Andy Serkis
Serkis’s sensational, avant-garde-esque service to the film industry over the last two decades was met with incredible acclamation; with the audience giving him a standing ovation. Clearly, the most popular person in the building, every face in the crowd beamed with delight after each word of his speech: “I love this work. Motion capture is an egalitarian art form.” Serkis proclaimed as he was handed his ‘Oustanding Contribution’ award. All of this acclamation makes it even more baffling that he has been snubbed as much as he has.
Joaquin Phoenix calls out BAFTAs on lack of diversity
The week leading up to the BAFTAs presented us with the viral hashtag “”, which was the result of the clear lack of representation presented through this year’s nominees list; so there was no surprise that during his acceptance speech for Best Actor, Joaquin Phoenix used this platform to put the focus on the historical systematic racism within the Award Show.
While he began the speech with thanks towards the academy, the Joker actor expressed:
“I also feel conflicted – we send a very clear message to people of colour that ‘you’re not welcome
here.”
“I’m ashamed to say that I’m part of the problem because I’ve not ensured that the sets I’ve worked on are inclusive.”
“We really have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism. I think that it is the obligation of the people who have created and perpetuated and benefited from a system of oppression to dismantle it… so that’s on us.”
Parasite and 1917 dominate the awards
After winning the award for Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globe Awards, receiving four nominations at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards, and also becoming the first non-English film to win the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Parasite continued to impress at the BAFTAs by winning the awards for Best Film Not in the English Language and Original screenplay.
WW1 drama 1917 racked up an incredible four award wins at the BAFTAS: for Best Sound, Product Design, Film and Outstanding Film Award. After already winning two awards at the 77th Golden Globe Awards: for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director.
Words by Charlie Miller
Graphics by Katie Janes
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