Bafta on the Brink
Tim Bevan, the producer of Atonement, is delighted the film is a truly British one. He said this was thanks to the direction of Joe Wright. The young director used a British cast and crew for the film.
The film’s two leading actors are Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. Both have been nominated for 2008 Bafta film awards. They are nominated in the categories of best actress and best actor. The film Atonement had the most nominations having received 14. Joe Wright is in the best directory category for this romantic drama.
The Best British films nominated are as follows:
Death Defying Acts - a period piece due out in 2008
City of Ember - a fantasy adventure piece
The Lovely Bones - in the lead role
Eastern Promises
This is England
An interesting nomination is for best supporting actress. Saoirse Ronan has been nominated for her role in Atonement. She plays the part of Keira Knightley’s young sister in the film. 13 year old Saoirse’s father is a theatre actor. She has been involved in Irish television since the age of 9 and made an appearance in a few films.
Her character Briony is very unlike Saoirse. This is the most challenging role the young actress has ever undertaken. Producer Paul Webster wanted a highly intelligent child. One who was curious about life and on the brink of adolescence. Both Webster and the director Joe Wright saw the Irish Saoirse as perfect for the role when she auditioned.
It seemed almost miraculous when the young Saoirse transformed from an open Irish girl with a broad accent into proper Briony with a crystal clear English accent. Both Webster and Wright concluded �it was the finest display of natural talent’ they have ever been exposed to.
This talented young actress is also involved in:
Death Defying Acts - a period piece due out in 2008
City of Ember - a fantasy adventure piece
The Lovely Bones - in the lead role
The film Atonement is up against four others for the category of Best film:
Atonement
American Gangster
The Lives of Others
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
The following films got 5 or more nominations each:
Edith Piaf biopic La Vie en Rose (7)
The Bourne Ultimatum (6)
American Gangster (5)
The Lives of Others (5)
Michael Clayton (5)
It was noticeable that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix did not get nominated in the major categories. David Parfitt, the deputy chairman of Bafta, called it �sad’. However, the Awards of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will go on, in its 61st year. The 2008 ceremony will be held at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London. The star studded event will take place on 10th February.
The Golden Globes and the Oscars, the American film award ceremonies, are experiencing difficulties in getting their ceremonies to happen. This is due to the controversial writers strike and the debate concerning role within the industry.
Bafta has not been untouched by controversy in its history. In 1992 Prime Suspect beat G.B.H in the Best Drama Serial category. Four out of seven judges said they voted for G.B.H. It was declared there could be no recount because the ballot papers had been destroyed.
