‘Argo’ and ‘Les Miserables’ led the winners at the 2013 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTA) on Sunday (10.02.13). The Ben Affleck directed ‘Argo’ – in which he also stars – took the night’s top prize for Best Film at the ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House, while the 40-year-old star also took home the award for Best Director. An emotional Ben – whose wife Jennifer Garner was in tears as he took to the stage – thanked the audience for accepting his transition from acting to directing, which he called his “second act”.
He said: “This is a second act. The industry has given me that, you’ve given me that. I want to thank you.” The Best Film gong was accepted by ‘Argo’ producer George Clooney, who hailed Ben as “incredible”. He told the crowd: “I gotta say, Ben. If this is your second act, I don’t know what you’re going to do for a third act. You’re incredible. I can’t tell you what an honour it is to work with you.”
‘Argo’ also won for editing, bringing its total to three awards.
Meanwhile, ‘Les Miserables’ collected four awards – the most of the night – including Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway, Production Design, Sound and Hair and Make-Up. Speaking to BANG Showbiz, director Tom Hooper said: “It’s amazing to be back here at the BAFTAs two years after ‘The King’s Speech’. It’s a real thrill. I think the British film industry is in a good place.
“I think it’s particularly good at things like ‘Les Miserables’ which involves creating worlds. We built early 19th Century Paris. I could put the camera on any section of that set and the pattern and the detail would stand up to it. It’s why Spielberg and Chris Nolan keep coming back here to shoot. It’s a great place to be.”
Other big winners included Daniel Day-Lewis who won Best Actor for ‘Lincoln’, Emanuelle Riva winning Best Actress for ‘Amour’ and Christoph Waltz who took home the Best Supporting Actor gong for ‘Django Unchained’. After the ceremony, the stars attended the official DISARONNO after party at the Grosvenor House Ballroom.
BAFTA Awards 2013 Winners List:
Best Film: ‘Argo’
Outstanding British Film: ‘Skyfall’
Director: Ben Affleck
Leading Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, ‘Lincoln’
Leading Actress: Emanuelle Riva, ‘Amour’
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, ‘Django Unchained’
Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, ‘Les Miserables’
Outstanding British Debut: ‘The Impostor’
Film Not in the English Language: ‘Margaret Menegoz’
Original Screenplay: ‘Django Unchained’
Adapted Screenplay: ‘Silver Linings Playbook’
Documentary: ‘Searching for Sugar Man’
Animated Film: ‘Brave’
EE Rising Star: Juno Temple