The Baftas have certainly caught the zeitgeist this year with their nominations, but let's give a shout-out to "The Ballad of Wallis Island" that's been flying under the radar. Amidst the awards-season frenzy for Ryan Coogler's subversive vampire epic "Sinners", Paul Thomas Anderson's sprawling antifa drama "One Battle After Another" is leading the pack with 14 nominations, one ahead of Coogler's contender.
Anderson's film, inspired by Thomas Pynchon's novel "Vineland", is a timely commentary on America's black experience, mirroring our current struggles with immigration and xenophobia. The parallels are unsettlingly apt, particularly with the rise of ICE and their brutal tactics against migrants. Anderson's disheveled ex-revolutionary protagonist has an uncanny echo in Gregory Bovino, the commander of ICE's Border Patrol, whose buzzcut, sneer, and swagger make him a poster boy for the MAGA cult.
Meanwhile, cinema continues to intersect with headlines, as evident from the Bafta nominations in non-English categories. Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just an Accident" sheds light on Iranian theocratic tyranny, while Kaouther Ben Hania's "The Voice of Hind Rajab" tackles the tragic fate of a young Gaza girl killed by IDF forces. Kleber Mendonça Filho's "The Secret Agent" explores Brazil's 1970s underbelly, as Brazilian director takes on the theme.
However, not every film has received equal critical love. Óliver Laxe's preposterous "Sirāt", with its Pythonesque explosions, seems to be flying under the radar, despite being a nominee in this category.
British films are well-represented at the Baftas, with Kirk Jones's "I Swear" receiving five nominations, including a best actor nod for Robert Aramayo. Peter Mullan also received critical acclaim for his supporting role as a community centre manager who offers John Davidson, played by Aramayo, a chance.
My personal favourite British film of the year is Tim Key's "The Ballad of Wallis Island", which has garnered three nominations: outstanding British film, adapted screenplay, and best supporting actress for Carey Mulligan. This charming film tells the story of an eccentric lottery winner who reunites his late wife's indie folk-rock duo for a private gig on his island. The film is reminiscent of Local Hero or I Know Where I'm Going!, both classics of British cinema.
Perhaps Key deserves recognition in Bafta's "outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer" category, which would be a welcome gesture. However, some notable omissions have left me feeling underwhelmed, particularly Harris Dickinson's outstanding film about homelessness, "Urchin".
The competition for the top prize is fierce, with Tim Mielants's "Steve" and Lynne Ramsay's "Die My Love" vying for attention alongside Philippa Lowthorpe's "H Is for Hawk". Who will take home the award? I can only hope that Tim Key will be invited to accept his Bafta for this delightful, intensely British film.
Anderson's film, inspired by Thomas Pynchon's novel "Vineland", is a timely commentary on America's black experience, mirroring our current struggles with immigration and xenophobia. The parallels are unsettlingly apt, particularly with the rise of ICE and their brutal tactics against migrants. Anderson's disheveled ex-revolutionary protagonist has an uncanny echo in Gregory Bovino, the commander of ICE's Border Patrol, whose buzzcut, sneer, and swagger make him a poster boy for the MAGA cult.
Meanwhile, cinema continues to intersect with headlines, as evident from the Bafta nominations in non-English categories. Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just an Accident" sheds light on Iranian theocratic tyranny, while Kaouther Ben Hania's "The Voice of Hind Rajab" tackles the tragic fate of a young Gaza girl killed by IDF forces. Kleber Mendonça Filho's "The Secret Agent" explores Brazil's 1970s underbelly, as Brazilian director takes on the theme.
However, not every film has received equal critical love. Óliver Laxe's preposterous "Sirāt", with its Pythonesque explosions, seems to be flying under the radar, despite being a nominee in this category.
British films are well-represented at the Baftas, with Kirk Jones's "I Swear" receiving five nominations, including a best actor nod for Robert Aramayo. Peter Mullan also received critical acclaim for his supporting role as a community centre manager who offers John Davidson, played by Aramayo, a chance.
My personal favourite British film of the year is Tim Key's "The Ballad of Wallis Island", which has garnered three nominations: outstanding British film, adapted screenplay, and best supporting actress for Carey Mulligan. This charming film tells the story of an eccentric lottery winner who reunites his late wife's indie folk-rock duo for a private gig on his island. The film is reminiscent of Local Hero or I Know Where I'm Going!, both classics of British cinema.
Perhaps Key deserves recognition in Bafta's "outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer" category, which would be a welcome gesture. However, some notable omissions have left me feeling underwhelmed, particularly Harris Dickinson's outstanding film about homelessness, "Urchin".
The competition for the top prize is fierce, with Tim Mielants's "Steve" and Lynne Ramsay's "Die My Love" vying for attention alongside Philippa Lowthorpe's "H Is for Hawk". Who will take home the award? I can only hope that Tim Key will be invited to accept his Bafta for this delightful, intensely British film.
! I mean, who wouldn't love a story about an eccentric lottery winner bringing back his wife's folk-rock duo for a private gig on his island? It's like Local Hero but with more Carey Mulligan 
. The film just feels so delightfully British, you know? Tim Key deserves some recognition for his outstanding debut 
and I'm keeping fingers crossed he'll take home the Bafta for Outstanding British Film. But honestly, some of the omissions have me puzzled, like Urchin being snubbed... Harris Dickinson's film was a powerful portrayal of homelessness 
. Anyway, can't wait to see who takes the top prize 
!
What's going on with the omissions tho?! Harris Dickinson's "Urchin" is a powerful and poignant film about homelessness, but it gets snubbed in favor of more... let's say, 'mainstream' British films 
. And can we talk about Carey Mulligan's incredible performance in "The Ballad of Wallis Island"? She deserves all the recognition 
! Tim Key is a genius and his film is like a breath of fresh air 
. I'm rooting for him to win at least one award, fingers crossed! 
i mean british cinema is always on point but "The Ballad of Wallis Island" is something else lol carey mulligan shines in it, and the music scenes are everything 
anyway britis films seem to be getting some well-deserved love at the baftas this year 
. And can we talk about how all these films are basically saying "Hey, we're trying too hard" 
. I mean, I've seen more originality in a Justin Bieber music video 
.
. I'm all for celebrating British cinema, but some notable omissions are really underwhelming 
. Like, where's the love for "Urchin" or any other film that actually tackles real issues? 
.
), at least we'll get to enjoy more charming British films like this one 
i need to check it out ASAP but why is Paul Thomas Anderson getting all the love btw didnt he used to be in those indie films no one remembers anymore 
paul thomas anderson is literally the best director rn 
, it's great to see films like jafar panahi's "it was just an accident" and kleber mendonça filho's "the secret agent" tackling tough topics from iranian and brazilian perspectives 
. but i'm also kinda surprised that oliver laxe's "sirāt" isn't getting more love 
. Like, I know "One Battle After Another" is a big deal and all, but can we talk about "Urchin" for like one second? Harris Dickinson's movie about homelessness is just so raw and emotional... it's like he ripped my heart out and put it on screen 
. And don't even get me started on how some of these films are just rehashing the same old tropes 
️
. I wish Tim Key would win that debut award stat 
the cinematography was also stunning, it transported me to this idyllic world 
but yeah, it feels like it's been flying under the radar... fingers crossed for Tim Key at the Baftas!