An anti-war ode crowned at the Bafta.

The German production of Netflix "In the West, nothing new" imposed itself very widely, Sunday February 19 evening by winning seven Bafta, the British cinema awards, including those for best film and best director for Edward Berger .

A century after Erich Maria Remarque's famous 1929 pacifist novel brought to the screen here, producer Malte Grunert has underlined how relevant its message is.

"In the West Nothing New tells the story of young men who, poisoned by right-wing nationalist political propaganda, go to war thinking it's an adventure," he said, "war is anything but an adventure.

The film, which follows a young German soldier during the First World War, is dedicated in seven categories during this 76th Bafta ceremony, which was held at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

It was released on both Netflix and theatrically in the UK.

Anything but quiet for our Best Film winners!

#EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/bzTCvDX68a

— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 19, 2023

Nominated in 14 categories in total, it equaled "Tiger and Dragon" (2000) for the number of nominations for a film made in a language other than English.

He is also multi-nominated for the Oscars next month.

Cate Blanchett scoops the Bafta for Best Actress for her role as the ruthless conductor in 'Tar', and hailed her award as an "extraordinary year for women".

American Austin Butler meanwhile picked up the best actor award for his role in the biopic 'Elvis' about the rock'n'roll legend, beating Colin Farrell, who was among the big favorites for " The Banshees of Inisherin".

Ireland in the spotlight              

This tragicomedy about the sudden breakdown of a friendship ultimately won four awards, notably for the best supporting roles awarded to Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon.

It also won in the category of best original screenplay and best British film, although the feature film is very largely Irish.

"All the Irish cast and crew are going to wonder what's better?", joked the British director of the film, Martin McDonagh.

Ireland was particularly in the spotlight this year: a quarter of the 24 nominations in the actor categories went to Irish people thanks to the "Banshees" (four Irish actors nominated), but also with "My appointments with Leo" and "Aftersun", nominated in the best actor category with Irish Daryl McCormack and Paul Mescal respectively.

Nominated in ten categories, the feature film "Everything Everywhere all at once", where Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh plays a laundry owner immersed in parallel universes only won the Bafta for best editing.

In total this year, 45 films were nominated in one or more categories, down slightly from last year (48).

Alexei Navalny and Queen Elizabeth II

The prize for best documentary was awarded to "Navalny", devoted to the Russian opponent Alexei Navalny, against a backdrop of controversy, after the boss of the Bellingcat investigation site, Christo Grozev, was prevented from attending the ceremony For safety reasons.

London police cited the risk of "hostile intentions of foreign states".

More than five months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Helen Mirren has presented a tribute to the monarch.

The 77-year-old actress won an Oscar and a Bafta for her portrayal of the sovereign in the film "The Queen" in 2006.

Prince William, the Queen's grandson and Bafta president since 2010, attended the ceremony with his wife Kate for the first time since 2019.

The Bafta ceremony, like that of the Golden Globes, gives a taste of the Oscars, which will be awarded on March 12 in Los Angeles.

With AFP

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