I guess there's a sense of snootiness that comes from being European and not being wowed by the emperor's glitzy new clothes, but I love the fact that the BAFTAs have an integrity that sometimes the Oscars lack. I'm beside myself that the Hurt Locker and Fish Tank, both movies I raved about in earlier blogs took Best Film and Best British Film. And even better, both have female directors - Kathryn Bigalow and Andrea Arnold! Both made incendiary films with powerful story lines on peanuts budgets. Both contrast heavily with mega-bucks Avatar which failed to score the big Baftas but is sure to sweep the Oscars with its impressive effects.
I'm also overjoyed that Christoph Waltz was honoured as Best Supporting actor in Inglourious Basterds. His chilling performance was the subject of another another of my rave blogs – oh and what a lovely modest chap he is. Shame the film wasn't honoured too - it was a real tour de force. Also adored Andy Serkis (Gollam) as the indomitable Ian Drury and Ann Marie Duff as John Lennon's downtrodden but spirited mother. Now I just have to see An Education, Up in the Air, The Prophet and a Single Man to see why they all caused such a stir! Let's hope the Oscar board take a steer from the BAFTAs, do another Slumdog and choose low budget, big storyline!
