BAFTAs 2021: The Year of Firsts
LONDON — The British Academy of Film and Television Awards took place Sunday night in an empty Royal Albert Hall — as the country was getting ready to come out of lockdown and was still in mourning for the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
In light of the Duke’s passing, Prince William, BAFTA president, also pulled out of the virtual conversation he was scheduled to host with costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup and hair designer Sharon Martin.
It wasn’t the kind of celebration of years past, yet the virtual event still ended with a hint of optimism about what’s to come — a more diverse film industry perhaps?
After heavy criticism last year, the academy highlighted that there were 24 first-time nominees this year, and four women nominated in the director category.
“These are facts to celebrate, but hopefully soon we won’t have to, as they won’t have to be extraordinary,” said ceremony host Edith Bowman.
Women were also the night’s biggest winners, with Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” winning four accolades — for best film, best actress and best director — while Emerald Fennell scooped two awards for “Promising Young Woman.”
“Making this film was the best decision of my life. Everyone did it for a packet of crisps, because they really believed in it — it was a real labor of love,” said Fennel from a suite at the Claridge’s.
The hosts and presenters, including Priyanka Chopra, Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor, Cynthia Erivo and Hugh Grant, walked an unusually empty red carpet; nominees accepted their awards via live video calls, and Liam Payne gave one of TV’s first augmented reality performances, which saw him singing “Midnight” against a dark, starry sky.
The virtual format didn’t prevent anyone from dressing up, but there was certainly a very timely sense of ease in most participants’ clothing choices.
In the men’s department, Riz Ahmed — who was nominated for best leading actor — swapped shirts and bow ties for a patterned wool turtleneck by Prada, while Chopra ditched traditional gowns in favor of loose draped pants and a showstopping floral embroidered jacket with a front slit, by Spanish label Pertegaz.
According to her stylist Law Roach’s Instagram, the look was “a kiss to South Asia.”
Erivo, who opted for a hefty dose of sparkle, wore a fuss-free mini silhouette courtesy of Nicolas Ghesquière and Louis Vuitton. Vuitton also dressed Dynevore in a minimalist one-shoulder black maxidress, Gugu Mbatha-Raw in a sequin-embroidered midi number and Ashley Madekwe in a bold yellow, cutout gown.
Independent London designers made their way into the event, too, from singer Celeste’s Dilara Findikoglu and Erdem gowns to director Emerald Fennell’s draped white Roland Mouret number and Piferi heels.
But trends aside, what was most noteworthy about the event’s fashion was the teams working behind-the-scenes which, like the nominations, are also beginning to become more diverse.
Jason Bolden was behind Erivo’s futuristic Louis Vuitton number, while Zadrian Smith, alongside his partner Sarah Edmiston, styled three of the evening’s most promising young names, including rising star winner Bukky Bakray, Kosar Ali and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Makeup artist Joy Adenuga worked behind-the-scenes with Bakray, too.
According to Smith, more luxury brands have become open to catering to his talent’s needs with custom looks, from Alexander McQueen creating Kosar Ali’s custom look to suit her modest dressing needs, to Prada’s chic satin custom piece for Bakray.
Another positive of the evening? The British humor — and jokes about the Brits, which all were warmly welcomed.
“It’s been such an honor to work in your country. I’m French as you can hear, but in my heart I feel like I’m English,” said Florian Zeller, upon accepting the award for best adapted screenplay.
“Someone finally likes us, thank you,” said cohost Dermot O’Leary.
Grant, who took to the stage to present the BAFTA fellowship to director Ang Lee, kept spirits up, too: “If Ang were actually to wear all the garlands he was awarded in Cannes and Venice over the years he would basically be a hedge,” he said, also praising the director’s variety of work. “It’s hard to believe that he directed them all — I, for one, have my doubts.”
Korean actress Youn Yuh-Jung also had a message for the Brits during her acceptance speech for best supporting actress: “This award is meaningful — especially being recognized by British people who are known as snobby people, yet they approved me, so I feel very privileged,” she said.
Danish director Thomas Vinterberg accepted the award for best film, not in the English language, for his movie “Another Round,” shot in Copenhagen. “I had a small suspicion you Brits would like a movie about drinking,” he joked.
The ceremony ended with a tribute to Prince Philip, a BAFTA patron, and the many other film professionals who lost their lives in the last year, from composer Ennio Morricone to producer Amberto Grimaldi and actors Sean Connery, George Segal, Michael Chapman, Barbara Jefford and Irrfan Khan.
“Sleep well, the love and light you left in this universe, is holding us all together,” said Bakray, as she accepted the rising star award for her performance in “Rocks.”
See Also:
Chanel, Charles Finch Host Annual Pre-BAFTA Party — The Lockdown Edition
Zadrian Smith on Thoughtful Design, and Dressing Three BAFTA Nominees
Prince Philip Remembered for His Service, Style — and Controversy
Launch Gallery: All of the Fashion at the 2021 BAFTA Awards
