The first of the award series, the Golden Globes, had just been done and dusted, but there’s no rest for the winners and nominees, because the awards season has only begun warming up.
Read about: Golden Globes- the Best Moments
The BAFTA Award nominees have just been announced, with The Shape of Water leading the nominations with 12 nods, while Darkest Hour and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri in a close second with nine nominations each. Missing completely from the BAFTA is Steven Spielberg’s The Post. Here are the contenders in the key categories.
Best film
Call Me by Your Name
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The candidates in this category are similar to the Globes, except that Winston Churchill edged out the story about America’s first female newspaper publisher, with Darkest Hour replacing The Post.
Outstanding British film
Darkest Hour
The Death of Stalin
God's Own Country
Lady Macbeth
Paddington 2
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
While most of the entries are serious films dealing with political, social and cultural issues, Paddington 2 is the odd one out. It’s unlikely it’ll win but would be interesting if it does, wouldn’t it?
Director
Blade Runner 2049 - Denis Villeneuve
Call Me by Your Name - Luca Guadagnino
Dunkirk - Christopher Nolan
The Shape of Water - Guillermo del Toro
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - Martin McDonagh
Left out of the Golden Globes, Denis Villeneuve makes it to the Director’s list for BAFTA. The question here is, will Christopher Nolan beat Guillermo del Toro?
Leading actress
Annette Bening - Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool
Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Margot Robbie - I, Tonya
Sally Hawkins - The Shape of Water
Saoirse Ronan - Lady Bird
Both Frances McDormand and Saoirse Ronan won a Globe for the Best Actress, although in different categories. Would one of them take the top honour at the BAFTAs? Or would Margot Robbie be the dark horse that finishes this race first?
Leading actor
Daniel Day-Lewis - Phantom Thread
Daniel Kaluuya - Get Out
Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour
Jamie Bell - Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool
Timothee Chalamet - Call Me by Your Name
It would be tough to decide if the award should go to Daniel Day-Lewis or Gary Oldman’s immensely convincing portrayal of Winston Churchill.
Supporting actress
Allison Janney - I, Tonya
Kristin Scott Thomas - Darkest Hour
Laurie Metcalf - Lady Bird
Lesley Manville - Phantom Thread
Octavia Spencer - The Shape of Water
Missed out from the Globes race were Kristin Scott Thomas and Lesley Manville, but it’s going to be tough to beat Allison Janney’s fierce take as Tonya Harding’s brutal mother.
Supporting actor
Christopher Plummer - All the Money in the World
Hugh Grant - Paddington 2
Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Willem Dafoe - The Florida Project
Woody Harrelson - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Christopher Plummer should win an award just for being the efficient machine that he is, stepping into a role so quickly and finishing filming in just 10 days, at all of 88 years old!
Film not in the English language
Elle
First They Killed My Father
The Handmaiden
Loveless
The Salesman
Interestingly, the Globes winner in this category, In the Fade, was not nominated here. Will Angelina Jolie’s ode to Cambodia shine?
Animated film
Coco
Loving Vincent
My Life as a Courgette
This is definitely a no-brainer. We are betting our bottom dollar that Coco will take home the top prize.
Original screenplay
Get Out
I, Tonya
Lady Bird
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Left out of the major categories, breakout films of last year, Get Out and Lady Bird appear here. It’s unlikely I, Tonya will win, so the race may be just between the rest. Get Out stands out as the most refreshing concept, don’t you think?
Original music
Benjamin Wallfisch, Hans Zimmer - Blade Runner 2049
Dario Marianelli - Darkest Hour
Hans Zimmer - Dunkirk
Jonny Greenwood - Phantom Thread
Alexandre Desplat - The Shape of Water
This could be a race between the two Hans Zimmer pieces, the debate here is only which one will win?
Cinematography
Roger Deakins - Blade Runner 2049
Bruno Delbonnel - Darkest Hour
Hoyte van Hoytema - Dunkirk
Dan Laustsen - The Shape of Water
Ben Davis - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Blade Runner 2049 makes for one visually arresting film, but Dunkirk, with its emphasis on a visual story-telling style, makes it a strong contender as well.
The BAFTA will be hosted by British actress and activist Joanna Lumley, taking over from 12-time host Stephen Fry on February 18.
