Hollywood outshines British film industry at Baftas

Hollywood outshines British film industry at Baftas

	Published : Mon, 20 Feb 2006 13:05 By : David Simms Print this Story

LONDON: The weather in Leicester Square last night couldn’t have been more apt, considering the mood of Britain’s homegrown talent. It was damp, dull and rained hard enough to discourage the most determined among the film industry’s stars to stay home and switch on the telly. And nobody was asking why Britain’s film industry took home almost no Baftas while Hollywood clearly dominated the evening at the Odeon cinema.

‘The Constant Gardener’, a political thriller which had earlier received 10 nominations for the Bafta, including one for Best Actress for Rachel Weisz’s inspiring performance, pulled not a single award. The much acclaimed ‘Goodnight, and Good Luck’ by the highly talented George Clooney also failed to get any award.

The mood of British talent was best expressed by Joe Wright, director of ‘Pride and prejudice’ when he said “there is something in the British psyche that we find it hard to support each other sometimes.” Wright won the award for the Best First Film by a Briton. He dedicated his award to Keira Knightley, the lead actress of his film, who hadn’t received even a nomination despite being praised by critics and viewers alike for her performance.

The other British exception to the show last night was the animated film ‘Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-rabbit’ which won the Best British Film of the Year. A disgruntled British actor murmured that this award was little more than “a paternalizing gesture by the Bafta committee”.

The last Briton who saved the evening from being entirely monopolized by the Americans was Thandie Newton. She won the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in ‘Crash’.

Among the Hollywood offerings that won Baftas, the biggest star was ‘Brokeback Mountain’ by Ang Lee. This sensitively handled tale about two homosexual cowboys was a clear favourite – it won four Baftas: Best Director – Ang Lee, Best Actor in a Supporting role – Jake Gyllenhaal, Best adapted screenplay and Best Film. Brokeback Mountain’ is being billed as a clear winner also at the Oscars next month.

Reese Witherspoon won the Best Actress for her role in ‘Walk the Line’ and Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Best Actor for his performance as Truman Capote in ‘Capote’.