The Power of the Dog and Dune triumph at Bafta awards in London
- The Power of the Dog won the two top honours, scooping best film and best director for New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion, while Dune won 5 awards
- Hosted by actress Rebel Wilson, this year’s ceremony returned as a red-carpet event at the Royal Albert Hall following a virtual event last year due to Covid-19
Dark Western The Power of the Dog scooped the top two honours at the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, winning best film and director for Jane Campion, while sci-fi epic Dune picked up the most awards.
New Zealand filmmaker Campion wrapped up a successful weekend for her comeback feature film, after winning the top honours at the Directors Guild of America awards in Beverly Hills the day before.
Based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, the critically acclaimed movie set on a 1920s Montana ranch marks the return of Oscar-winner Campion to feature films since 2009’s Bright Star.
“Jane … you are a visionary whose trail blazed through the last 30 years of cinema with stories about the silenced, the under-represented and the misunderstood,” producer Tanya Seghatchian said as she accepted the award on behalf of Campion, who was absent.
“You’ve inspired legions of women to find their voices. We’re here because of you.”
Campion later briefly appeared via a video call on the phone of one of the film’s producers during the winners’ press conference, and said she was “overwhelmed”.
Hosted by Australian actress and comedian Rebel Wilson, this year’s ceremony, known as the Baftas (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), returned as a glitzy red-carpet event at London’s Royal Albert Hall, following a virtual event last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
There were references to the war in Ukraine, with some nominees wearing ribbons and badges in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag or speaking about the crisis on the red carpet and on stage.