Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film “Oppenheimer,” centered around the development of the atomic bomb, emerged triumphant at the EE British Academy Film Awards held in London. The movie secured seven awards, including Best Film, Best Director for Nolan, and Best Leading Actor for Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Among stiff competition, “Oppenheimer” clinched the coveted Best Film title, surpassing nominees like “Poor Things,” Yorgos Lanthimos’s rendition of a Frankenstein narrative, and “The Holdovers,” Alexander Payne’s comedy. Martin Scorsese’s expansive production “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Justine Triet’s multilingual courtroom drama “Anatomy of a Fall” also vied for the top spot but fell short.
Anticipation for “Oppenheimer” was high leading up to the BAFTAs, with critics tipping it for success. Tom Shone of The Times of London hailed Nolan’s work as an instant classic, solidifying its frontrunner status. Despite previous nominations for his films like “Inception” and “Dunkirk,” this marked Nolan’s first directorial win at the BAFTAs.
During the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Nolan, a London native, expressed gratitude for the honor, reminiscing about childhood experiences attending events at the venue. Murphy, upon receiving the Best Actor award, expressed astonishment and appreciation for the opportunity to portray Oppenheimer, acknowledging Nolan and producer Emma Thomas for their belief in him.
“Oppenheimer” also secured awards for Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Original Score, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography, further solidifying its acclaim following multiple wins at the Golden Globes.
While “Oppenheimer” dominated the awards, other films also received recognition. “Poor Things” earned five awards, including Best Leading Actress for Emma Stone. Additionally, Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest,” depicting a German family’s life near Auschwitz during the Holocaust, won three awards, including Best Film not in the English language.
Noteworthy wins also included Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Best Supporting Actress for her role in “The Holdovers.” Randolph’s performance earned her an Oscar nomination, highlighting the film’s impact beyond the BAFTAs and into the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony.