BAFTAs 2020: Joaquin Phoenix condemns 'systemic racism' in speech

BAFTAs 2020: Leading actor winner Joaquin Phoenix says he’s ‘conflicted’ about award as he condemns the industry’s ‘systemic racism’ in hard-hitting acceptance speech

Joaquin Phoenix declared he felt ‘conflicted’ about his Leading Actor win at Sunday’s EE British Academy Film Awards as he condemned ‘systemic racism’.

The 45-year-old actor scooped the coveted honour for his efforts in Joker, but took the opportunity to address the lack of diversity in the entertainment industry.

Appearing downcast as he took to the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the star said: ‘I feel very honoured and privileged to be here tonight. BAFTAs have always been very supportive of my career and I’m deeply appreciative.

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Conflicted: Joaquin Phoenix declared he felt ‘conflicted’ about his Leading Actor win at Sunday’s EE British Academy Film Awards as he condemned ‘systemic racism’ 

‘But I hate to say I also feel conflicted, because so many of my fellow actors don’t have that same privilege. I think we send a very clear message to people of colour that you’re not welcome here.

‘I think that’s the message we have contributed so much to our medium and our industry. I don’t think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, this is not a self-righteous condemnation.

‘I have not done everything in my power to ensure the stuff that I worked on are inclusive. We have to do the hard to work to truly understand systemic racism.


Award winner: The screen star received his trophy from award-winning actress Olivia Colman

He said during his speech, ‘I have not done everything in my power to ensure the stuff that I worked on are inclusive. We have to do the hard to work to truly understand systemic racism’

‘I think that it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuated and benefited from the system of oppression that dismantle it, and that’s on us. Thank you.’

After making his speech, and receiving a round of applause, the actor initially left the podium without his award, and had to be called back to take it with him.

The actor also made a statement of a personal nature at the prestigious awards ceremony, when he arrived wearing his recycled Stella McCartney tuxedo.

He cut a dapper figure as he hit the red carpet in his black ensemble of choice, which was teamed with a crisp white shirt bow tie, after vowing to re-wear his suit to all awards shows as part of his eco-friendly message. 

Speech: The star made profound speech as he accepted his award at the star-studded gala


Why so serious: He maintained a serious expression after he was announced as the winner

Emotional: He appeared to be overcome with emotion as he addressed the well-heeled crowd

Rounding out his suave look with a pair of polished black Oxfords, the Puerto Rico-born star wore his hair in a tousled wavy look while he sported a greying beard. 

Hollywood actor Joaquin has been the driving force between the 2020 awards season’s green initiative. 

According to Variety the actor pushed the Hollywood Foreign Press, who are behind the Golden Globes, to opt for a meat- and dairy-less meal at this month’s ceremony.

He used his acceptance speech for the Best Actor gong to praise the move, telling the crowd: ‘I would like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press for recognising and acknowledging the link between animal agriculture and climate change.

‘It’s a very bold move, making tonight plant-based.’

Night on the town: Joaquin stepped out in style for the event, which was held at London’s Royal Albert Hall

Happy: He appeared to be in an upbeat mood as he posed for photographers on the red carpet

Joaquin proved that he was dedicated to the cause, as he left last month’s SAG Awards festivities early to attend a vigil for pigs at an Los Angeles slaughterhouse.

BAFTA is doing their bit, encouraging guests to wear sustainable fashion choices, working with the London College of Fashion to create guidance for guests including the suggestion that people might want to re-wear or hire garments.

Sam Mendes’ 1917 led the winners at the 73rd annual EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday night.  

The World War I masterpiece took home seven gongs, which included the Best Film, Director, Outstanding British Film, Special Visual Effects, Cinematography, Production Design and Sound at the star-studded ceremony.

Recycled tuxedo: The Hollywood actor arrived wearing his recycled Stella McCartney tuxedo

While Renee Zellweger, 50, won the Leading Actress gong for her role as Judy Garland in the namesake biopic Judy with Joaquin Phoenix, 45, taking home the Leading Actor award for his role as Joker.   

Despite receiving 11 nominations, Joker only took home three awards – Casting, Original Score and Joaquin’s Leading Actor gong.   

Other A-lister wins included Laura Dern, 52, who won the Supporting Actress gong for her role as cutthroat lawyer Nora Fanshaw in Marriage Story. 

While an absent Brad Pitt won the Supporting Actor gong for his role as Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which was collected by his co-star Margot Robbie who lost out on her own Supporting Actress nomination for her Sharon Tate role in the Quentin Tarantino movie.   

Dapper gent: He cut a dapper figure as he hit the red carpet in his black ensemble of choice, which was teamed with a crisp white shirt bow tie

Vow: Joaquin vowed to re-wear his suit to all awards shows as part of his eco-friendly message

Andy Serkis was honoured with the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award by his Lord Of The Rings co-star Sir Ian McKellen while E.T producer Kathleen Kennedy received the highest honour with The Fellowship award.  

Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite received two wins on Sunday evening, taking home the Film Not in the English Language and Original Screenplay gongs. 

Top Boy and Blue Story actor Michael Ward won the EE Rising Star Award, which was voted for by the public.

For Sama won Documentary, Jojo Rabbit won Adapted Screenplay, Le Mans ‘66 won Editing and Klaus took home the Animated Film award.   

Despite not winning an award for her role, Margot Robbie’s Bombshell won the Make Up & Hair BAFTA with Little Women winning Costume Design. 

Driving force: He has been the driving force between the 2020 awards season’s green initiative

Writer/director Mark Jenkin and producers Kate Byers and Linn Waite won the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Bait.

While Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl) took home the British Short Film award and Grandad Was a Romantic won the British Short Animation gong.   

The 2020 ceremony is the 73rd annual EE British Academy Film Awards and is considered the UK’s most prestigious awards ceremony. It is also the last event to take place ahead of the Oscars. 

The ceremony was hosted by Graham Norton, taking over the role from Joanna Lumley, who hosted for two years prior. 

BAFTA winners and nominees are voted for by 6,500 BAFTA members, comprised of industry professionals and creatives around the world. 

Members vote to decide the nominations from hundreds of films in round one, then vote for the winner from the shortlist in round two.

Something looks familiar: Joaquin was seen wearing the same suit at last month’s SAG Awards

BAFTAs 2020: THE WINNERS

 BEST FILM

1917 Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Sam Mendes, Jayne-Ann Tenggren – WINNER 

THE IRISHMAN Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Martin Scorsese, Emma Tillinger Koskoff

JOKER Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff

ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh, Quentin Tarantino

PARASITE Bong Joon-ho, Kwak Sin-ae

Joker has earned the most nods with 11 nominations 

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM

1917 Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Krysty Wilson-Cairns – WINNER 

BAIT Mark Jenkin, Kate Byers, Linn Waite

FOR SAMA Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts

ROCKETMAN Dexter Fletcher, Adam Bohling, David Furnish, David Reid, Matthew Vaughn, Lee Hall

SORRY WE MISSED YOU Ken Loach, Rebecca O’Brien, Paul Laverty

THE TWO POPES Fernando Meirelles, Jonathan Eirich, Dan Lin, Tracey Seaward, Anthony McCarten

 

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER

BAIT Mark Jenkin (Writer/Director), Kate Byers, Linn Waite (Producers) – WINNER 

FOR SAMA Waad al-Kateab (Director/Producer), Edward Watts (Director)

MAIDEN Alex Holmes (Director)

ONLY YOU Harry Wootliff (Writer/Director)

RETABLO Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio (Writer/Director)*

 

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

THE FAREWELL Lulu Wang, Daniele Melia

FOR SAMA Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts

PAIN AND GLORY Pedro Almodóvar, Agustín Almodóvar

PARASITE Bong Joon-ho – WINNER 

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE Céline Sciamma, Bénédicte Couvreur

 

DOCUMENTARY

AMERICAN FACTORY Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert

APOLLO 11 Todd Douglas Miller

DIEGO MARADONA Asif Kapadia

FOR SAMA Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts – WINNER 

THE GREAT HACK Karim Amer, Jehane Noujaim

 

Frozen 2 earns a nomination for Animated Film

ANIMATED FILM

FROZEN 2 Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Peter Del Vecho

KLAUS Sergio Pablos, Jinko Gotoh – WINNER 

A SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE: FARMAGEDDON Will Becher, Richard Phelan, Paul Kewley

TOY STORY 4 Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen

 

DIRECTOR

1917 Sam Mendes – WINNER 

THE IRISHMAN Martin Scorsese

JOKER Todd Phillips

ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD Quentin Tarantino

PARASITE Bong Joon-ho

 

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

BOOKSMART Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Katie Silberman

KNIVES OUT Rian Johnson

MARRIAGE STORY Noah Baumbach

ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD Quentin Tarantino

PARASITE Han Jin Won, Bong Joon-ho – WINNER 

Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood has earned 10 nods 

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

THE IRISHMAN Steven Zaillian

JOJO RABBIT Taika Waititi – WINNER 

JOKER Todd Phillips, Scott Silver

LITTLE WOMEN Greta Gerwig

THE TWO POPES Anthony McCarten

 

LEADING ACTRESS  

JESSIE BUCKLEY Wild Rose

SCARLETT JOHANSSON Marriage Story

SAOIRSE RONAN Little Women

CHARLIZE THERON Bombshell

RENÉE ZELLWEGER Judy – WINNER 

 

Saoirse Ronan has earned a leading actress nod for Little Women

LEADING ACTOR

LEONARDO DICAPRIO Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood

ADAM DRIVER Marriage Story

TARON EGERTON Rocketman

JOAQUIN PHOENIX Joker – WINNER 

JONATHAN PRYCE The Two Popes

  

  

 SUPPORTING ACTRESS

LAURA DERN Marriage Story – WINNER 

SCARLETT JOHANSSON Jojo Rabbit

FLORENCE PUGH Little Women

MARGOT ROBBIE Bombshell

MARGOT ROBBIE Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

 

SUPPORTING ACTOR 

TOM HANKS A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

ANTHONY HOPKINS The Two Popes

AL PACINO The Irishman

JOE PESCI The Irishman

BRAD PITT Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood – WINNER 

 

ORIGINAL SCORE

1917 Thomas Newman

JOJO RABBIT Michael Giacchino

JOKER Hildur Guđnadóttir – WINNER 

LITTLE WOMEN Alexandre Desplat

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER John Williams  

 

JoJo Rabbit has received six nominations in total

CASTING

JOKER Shayna Markowitz – WINNER 

MARRIAGE STORY Douglas Aibel, Francine Maisler

ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD Victoria Thomas

THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD Sarah Crowe

THE TWO POPES Nina Gold

 

CINEMATOGRAPHY

1917 Roger Deakins – WINNER 

THE IRISHMAN Rodrigo Prieto

JOKER Lawrence Sher

LE MANS ’66 Phedon Papamichael

THE LIGHTHOUSE Jarin Blaschke

 

Netflix hit The Irishman has 10 nominations

EDITING 

THE IRISHMAN Thelma Schoonmaker

JOJO RABBIT Tom Eagles

JOKER Jeff Groth

LE MANS ’66 Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker – WINNER 

ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD Fred Raskin

 

PRODUCTION DESIGN 

1917 Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales – WINNER 

THE IRISHMAN Bob Shaw, Regina Graves

JOJO RABBIT Ra Vincent, Nora Sopková

JOKER Mark Friedberg, Kris Moran

ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD Barbara Ling, Nancy Haigh

 

COSTUME DESIGN 

THE IRISHMAN Christopher Peterson, Sandy Powell

JOJO RABBIT Mayes C. Rubeo

JUDY Jany Temime

LITTLE WOMEN Jacqueline Durran – WINNER 

ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD Arianne Phillips

 

Sam Mendes’ movie 1917 has received nine nominations 

MAKE UP & HAIR 

1917 Naomi Donne

BOMBSHELL Vivian Baker, Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan – WINNER 

JOKER Kay Georgiou, Nicki Ledermann

JUDY Jeremy Woodhead

ROCKETMAN Lizzie Yianni Georgiou

 

SOUND

1917 Scott Millan, Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate, Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson – WINNER 

JOKER Tod Maitland, Alan Robert Murray, Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic

LE MANS ’66 David Giammarco, Paul Massey, Steven A. Morrow, Donald Sylvester

ROCKETMAN Matthew Collinge, John Hayes, Mike Prestwood Smith, Danny Sheehan

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER David Acord, Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, Stuart Wilson, Matthew Wood

 

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS

1917 Greg Butler, Guillaume Rocheron, Dominic Tuohy – WINNER

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Dan Deleeuw, Dan Sudick

THE IRISHMAN Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Pablo Helman

THE LION KING Andrew R. Jones, Robert Legato, Elliot Newman, Adam Valdez

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan, Dominic Tuohy

 

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION 

GRANDAD WAS A ROMANTIC. Maryam Mohajer – WINNER 

IN HER BOOTS Kathrin Steinbacher

THE MAGIC BOAT Naaman Azhari, Lilia Laurel

 

BRITISH SHORT FILM 

AZAAR Myriam Raja, Nathanael Baring

GOLDFISH Hector Dockrill, Harri Kamalanathan, Benedict Turnbull, Laura Dockrill

KAMALI Sasha Rainbow, Rosalind Croad

LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL) Carol Dysinger, Elena Andreicheva – WINNER 

THE TRAP Lena Headey, Anthony Fitzgerald

 

EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)

AWKWAFINA

JACK LOWDEN

KAITLYN DEVER

KELVIN HARRISON JR.

MICHEAL WARD – WINNER 

Producer Kathleen Kennedy was granted the BAFTA Fellowship Award.

Actor Andy Serkis was honoured for his Outstanding Contribution to Cinema. 

 

 

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