What You Need To Know About The 2022 Baftas
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The Ceremony Was Back With A Bang
The 2022 EE British Academy Film Awards celebrated the very best in film from the past year. Sunday’s ceremony, hosted by Australian actress Rebel Wilson, was held at the Royal Albert Hall – and was a great return to form following last year’s virtual ceremony. Shown on BBC1, the awards began with a rousing performance of ‘Diamonds are Forever’ by 85-year-old Shirley Bassey, in honour of Dr No’s 60th anniversary. After this, Wilson took to the stage, following in the steps of Joanna Lumley and Graham Norton, who have hosted the Baftas for years. Her biggest reaction of the night came when she raised her middle finger and said: “In all sign languages, this is the international sign for Putin” – to huge applause. Throughout the event, Wilson got laughs for a wide-ranging collection of subjects, from lockdown parties at No 10 to Prince Andrew’s visit to Pizza Express in Woking and Harry and Meghan’s TV interview with Oprah Winfrey.
It Was A Great Night For Jane Campion
The night’s two big prizes – best film and best director – went to Jane Campion and her Netflix western The Power of the Dog. The film focuses on charismatic rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch). When his brother (Jesse Plemons) brings home a new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love. While Cumberbatch missed out on a best actor award for his role (that went to Will Smith for his turn as Serena and Venus Williams’ father in King Richard), he did get up on stage to accept Campion’s award on her behalf. Campion was in LA following the previous night’s Directors Guild America awards. In the other actor categories, Joanna Scanlan beat Lady Gaga to win best actress for After Love; and Ariana DeBose won best supporting actress for her role as Anita in West Side Story.
Dune Won Big
Dune – the Timothée Chalamet-starring sci-fi thriller based on the 1965 book by Frank Herbert – was the biggest winner of the night. The Denis Villeneuve film – which was one of last summer’s blockbuster hits – took homes prizes for technical categories including original score, cinematography, sound, production design and visual effects. Elsewhere, big wins on the night included outstanding British film for Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast; adapted screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza; best film in a foreign language for Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car, a Japanese film based on a Haruki Murakami short story; and best documentary for Quest Love’s excellent Summer of Soul.
Diversity Played A Role
The 2022 nominees were voted for by the 7,000-strong British Film Academy under 220 radical changes introduced in the wake of 2020’s Bafta ceremony, when every nominee was white. The measures included quotas for filmmakers and the compulsory viewing by voters of at least 15 randomly selected titles in contention. We were pleased to see the EE Rising Star Award – voted for by the public – go to No Time To Die’s Lashana Lynch. Troy Kotsur became the first deaf actor to win a Bafta for his role in family drama Coda. He is the second-ever deaf actor to be nominated for an Academy Award, so all eyes will be on him at the Oscars later this month. Coda also took best adapted screenplay. Elsewhere, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Encanto was named best animation. Accepting her award, composer Germaine Franco said she had wanted to make a film that tells “my beautiful brown children they are seen and heard and they’re important”.
Now All Eyes Are On The Oscars
While the Baftas are big news – especially for us Brits – the Oscars are the awards everyone gets most excited about. On a personal level, we’re excited to see Drive My Car nominated for four Oscars, including best picture and best director. We’ll have to see what the Academy Awards ceremony has in store for two weeks’ time…
Here's Our Pick Of The Best Dressed Stars...
JAMES VEYSEY/SHUTTERSTOCK
Who: Daisy Edgar-Jones
Wearing: Gucci
Why We Love It: This custom Gucci number was a clear favourite, with the ‘Normal People’ star, looking anything but in this flowing sequined dress. The cascading fringed beading and plunging neckline should be too much in theory, but with subtle jewellery and natural make-up, it’s the perfect amount of ‘extra’.
Who: Naomi Campbell
Wearing: Burberry
Why We Love It: At first glance, this floor length velvet Burberry gown verges on ‘safe’ for an icon like Naomi. However, on closer inspection, the carefully sculpted neckline, specialised fit and bold statement sleeves turn it into a timeless look. The decision to omit a necklace helps everyone appreciate the striking neckline, with the look is balanced out by the delicate hanging earrings and diamond bracelet from Fawaz Gruosi.
ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK
NEIL HALL/SHUTTERSTOCK
Who: Renate Reinsve
Wearing: Louis Vuitton
Why We Love It: This intricately designed cape, constructed with a lace base and gold detailing, is a thing of beauty. Complemented by a gold belt, which perfectly cinches the waist and enhances the silhouette of the soft A-line hem, the natural make-up look and tight bun also let the dress take centre stage.
Who: Aj Odudu
Wearing: Yanina Couture
Why We Love It: This sheer, black sequin dress is a daring choice for AJ, who hosted the red carpet this year. Oozing glamour, it was also a bold and interesting contrast to some of the more minimal looks seen at this year’s awards show. We love how the feather-like sequin detailing offers tasteful coverage, while still making an impact.
DAVID FISHER/SHUTTERSTOCK
ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK
Who: Zawe Ashton
Wearing: Emilia Wickstead
Why We Love It: Draped to perfection, every pleat and fold help make this look what it is. The cape-like silhouette and soft, spring pink hue makes the ensemble feel delicate and feminine.
Who: Adwoa Aboah
Wearing: Saint Laurent
Why We Love It: Strapless, chic and effortless, Adwoa wows in this Saint Laurent floor length number. Although minimal overall, her red lip, slicked back hair and long flowing braid make the look red-carpet worthy.
DAVID FISHER/SHUTTERSTOCK
DAVID FISHER/SHUTTERSTOCK
Who: Simone Ashley
Wearing: Valentino
Why We Love It: Valentino’s iconic PP Pink looks incredible on Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley. The star puts a twist on the typical awards season dress by styling this bold trouser and cape duo with Tiffany & Co earrings and a diamond bracelet.
Who: Eiza González
Wearing: Nue Studio
Why We Love it: This two-piece is striking and sophisticated. The corseted, diamond encrusted bodice takes centre stage, while the sleek, straight black skirt tones it down. Eiza’s flowing hair adds to the glamour, while the subtle, silvery hues of her eyeshadow combined with a pink lip perfectly match the corset top.
RICHARD YOUNG/SHUTTERSOCK
RICHARD YOUNG/SHUTTERSOCK
Who: Nicola Coughlan
Wearing: Tiffany & Co
Why We Love It: Lace, sequins and puff sleeves shouldn’t work all together, but this after-party ensemble is simply stunning. The plunging bodice melts into a diamond dusted skirt, which is finished with a lace trimmed hem. Meanwhile, the ruched sleeves create a soft contrast to the OTT glamour of the dress, yet tie in perfectly with the detailing repeated in the bodice and hem. Paired with a slinky white heel and bold red lip, Nicola makes it all look so effortless.
Who: Rachel Zegler
Wearing: Tiffany & Co
Why We Love It: This afterparty look screams ‘cool girl chic’ offering the perfect blend of feminine and edgy. The statement feather top effortlessly impresses and creates an interesting silhouette when paired with this sleek, baby blue sequin layered skirt. The ‘West Side Story’ star traded in her beachy-waved locks from the carpet for this blunt and straight bob look, accessorised to perfection with a simple strappy black heel with glitzy detailing, and a clutch to match.
RICHARD YOUNG/SHUTTERSOCK
DAVID FISHER/SHUTTERSTOCK
Who: Millie Mackintosh
Wearing: Alexia Maria
Why We Love It: Aside from the gorgeous blush tone, statement puff-ruffle detail and asymmetric shoulder – not to mention the carefully crafted bow and train at the back – Millie’s biggest statement of the night came via her blue and yellow ribbon, to signal her solidarity with Ukraine.
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