‘Conclave’ crowned best film at BAFTAs, ‘The Brutalist’ also honored

The 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) wrapped up on Sunday night, with the papal thriller “Conclave” taking the top honor of Best Film. The historical drama “The Brutalist” also enjoyed a successful evening, winning several awards, including Best Director and Best Actor.

Directed by Edward Berger and featuring Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave” delves into the dynamics of a papal conclave as cardinals congregate to elect a new Pope. Leading the nominations with 12, the film captivated BAFTA voters with its engaging storyline, impressive performances, and skilled direction. In addition to Best Film, “Conclave” was also recognized with awards for Outstanding British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing.

In his acceptance speech for Outstanding British Film, Berger reflected, “We live in a time of a crisis of democracy, and institutions that are meant to unite us are often used to divide us. In such circumstances, maintaining faith can be challenging, but that’s why we create films, and that’s the impetus behind this project.”

“The Brutalist,” a three-and-a-half-hour epic about a Hungarian immigrant architect rebuilding his life in post-World War II America, was another key contender. Directed by Brady Corbet, it earned awards for Best Director (Corbet) and Best Actor (Adrien Brody), along with accolades for Original Score and Cinematography.

“This film is fundamentally about the quest for leaving a meaningful legacy, something we can all connect with,” Brody remarked during his acceptance speech.

In an unexpected win, Mikey Madison garnered the Best Actress award for her role in “Anora,” a coming-of-age story about a young woman navigating life in Brooklyn. Her victory surprised many, as it had been anticipated that the award would go to either Demi Moore for her role in the body horror film “The Substance” or Marianne Jean-Baptiste for her widely praised performance in “Hard Truths.”

“I truly did not foresee this,” Madison expressed. “I want to take a moment to acknowledge the sex worker community; you deserve respect and dignity. I will always stand by you.”

“Anora” was nominated for Best Film, alongside “Emilia Perez,” a genre-blending musical crime film that won Best Film Not in the English Language. “Emilia Perez,” regarded as a strong awards season contender, faced controversy due to past offensive social media posts by one of its stars, Karla Sofia Gascon, who later issued an apology.

Other notable wins included Kieran Culkin for Best Supporting Actor in “A Real Pain” and Zoe Saldana for Best Supporting Actress in “Emilia Perez.” “A Real Pain” also won Best Original Screenplay, awarded to writer-director Jesse Eisenberg.

The BAFTA Film Awards are recognized as one of the most prestigious film awards ceremonies globally, with winners frequently considered strong Oscar contenders. This year’s ceremony highlighted a diverse array of films and performances, celebrating the richness and creativity of the film industry.

Held at London’s Royal Festival Hall, the event brought together a host of stars, including Cynthia Erivo, Hugh Grant, Ariana Grande, Lupita Nyong’o, Timothée Chalamet, and Saoirse Ronan. The red carpet buzzed with excitement as attendees celebrated the best in British and international cinema.

In response to previous criticism regarding representation, the BAFTAs have been actively working to enhance diversity, and this year’s nominations and winners reflected a positive shift, recognizing a broader range of talent.

The triumph of “Conclave” and “The Brutalist” at the BAFTAs has firmly established them as strong contenders in the current awards season. While their future at the Oscars remains uncertain, their successes at the BAFTAs have undoubtedly provided them with a considerable advantage.