The Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA)

Last Update: 10 March 2003

Source: Empire Online
23 February 2003

Britain's answer to the Oscars has traditionally been regarded as something of a
poor cousin to its Hollywood counterpart. But the BAFTAs' status as a second-
class show may all have changed with this year's event, which saw an almost
mind-boggling number of A-list stars descend on London's Leicester Square.

Sean Bean received hoots and screams as he and fellow Middle-earth
representative, Sir Ian McKellen made their appearance, while a somewhat
overwhelmed Renee Zellweger tried her hardest to take it all in,
"it's just crazy!" She said.

(Scroll down to the bottom of this page to read the full article.)

From The Scotsman
24 February 2004

These were the Two Towers brigade, a hundred or so teenagers apparently bussed
in to spice up the atmosphere. They went into ecstasy as the procession of
Hobbits commenced. Sean Bean’s early appearance on the red carpet rendered
many of his young fans incapable of further participation. This was a great
shame as the fun had only just begun.

The program was broadcast on Sunday, 23 February 2003, on BBC1 (UK) and
on Sunday, 12 February 2003 at 4 pm/et, 1 pm/pt on BBC America in the US.
There was a repeat showing on BBC America on Thursday, 27 February 2003
at 8 and 11 pm/et, 5 and 8 pm/pt.

 

 

 

 

 

These pix of Sean arriving are from the Stakeout fan site and are reproduced with their permission.

Click on the thumbnails to see the larger versions.

These are screencaps from the Awards show. Click on the thumbnails to see larger versions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Scroll to the bottom of this page for more pictures of Sean.

Bang-Up BAFTAs
Source: Empire Online
23 February 2003

Britain's answer to the Oscars has traditionally been regarded as something of a
poor cousin to its Hollywood counterpart. But the BAFTAs' status as a second-class
show may all have changed with this year's event, which saw an almost mind-
boggling number of A-list stars descend on London's Leicester Square.

Halle Berry, Tim Robbins, Daniel Day-Lewis, Martin Scorsese, Michael Caine, Rachel
Weisz, Salma Hayek and Ed Norton were just the tip of the celebrity iceberg that
made its way down the red carpet to the almost ear-splitting appreciation of fans.
"The BAFTAs are definitely gaining in importance," we were told by the night's host,
Stephen Fry. "We're now in our third year of being before, rather than after, the
Oscars, so naturally its far more interesting for audiences. The Bunsen burner's
gone under the film industry in genera, I think people are more interested in film
than they've ever been in its history."

Simple 'interest' couldn't possibly do justice to the overwhelming turnout of people
who had flocked to the Odeon Leicester Square to catch a glimpse of their favourite
stars. Their patience certainly paid off as Angelina Jolie, who was among the first
to arrive, broke away from the press to spend half an hour signing autographs and
talking to the crowds. "Oh I just think they're great, they're wonderful," she told us.
"I just love them."

The Hours stars, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep headed down the carpet hand-in-
hand, beaming at the cameras while co-star Julianne Moore did her best to hide a
case of nerves over her nomination. "I always get nervous. I don't mind acting, I
don't mind almost anything but this scares me to death." And how did she overcome
it? "I put a little candy in my bag to eat later… that makes me feel better."

Paul Bettany and his wife, the lovely Jennifer Connolly, turned more than their fair
share of heads upon arrival, as did a particularly radiant Mena Suvari. Sean Bean
received hoots and screams as he and fellow Middle-earth representative, Sir Ian
McKellen made their appearance, while a somewhat overwhelmed Renee Zellweger
tried her hardest to take it all in, "it's just crazy!" She said.

"This is a gorgeous evening in London. It's really working out having it before the
Oscars, there's a much bigger turnout - we're just having a ball!" Exclaimed Michael
Douglas. "My wife started just down the street in Drury Lane doing 42nd street, who
would have ever thought she'd be back here nominated for a BAFTA, I'm really proud."

And speaking of Mrs Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones was all smiles as she literally
glowed at reporters, very noticeably pregnant with her second child. Despite all the
excitement, the actress was not too concerned that all the excitement might bring
about a premature labour. "Oh please," she laughed. "Don't even go there. I'm not
ready and I'm not big enough. Still, the emotions are sky high tonight, I feel larger
than life in more ways than one."

Nominated for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Chicago, Zeta-Jones wouldn't
comment on her chances confessed to being elated by the nomination itself. "I’m
thrilled, this is the cherry on the top for me. Coming home to have my first BAFTA
nomination is very cool. Tonight I feel very proud to be British and to be home."


THE ORANGE BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Source: BAFTA


Seven films have each won two British Academy Awards at this year’s Orange British
Academy Film Awards, held on 23rd February at the Odeon, Leicester Square.

The Pianist won in the categories Best Film and The David Lean Award for Achievement
in Direction for Roman Polanski, The Hours won in the categories Actress In A Leading
Role for Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Virginia Woolf and The Anthony Asquith Award for
Achievement in Film Music. The Warrior won in the categories The Alexander Korda
Award for the Outstanding British Film of the Year and the film’s director and co-writer,
Asif Kapadia, won The Carl Foreman Award for Special Achievement by a British Director,
Screenwriter or Producer in their First Feature Film.

Catherine Zeta Jones won the BAFTA in the category Actress In A Supporting Role for
her role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, which also won for Sound. Road To Perdition took
home the awards for Production Design and Cinematography, while Pedro Almodóvar’s
Talk To Her won in the categories Original Screenplay and Film Not in the English
Language – his second win in this category. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
picked up two BAFTA awards in the categories Costume Design and Achievement in
Special Visual Effects , as well as the Orange Film of the Year – the only award given
out at the ceremony that is voted for by the cinema going public.

In the other performance categories, Daniel Day-Lewis was awarded the BAFTA in the
category Actor In A Leading Role for his portrayal of Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York,
and Christopher Walken won for Actor In A Supporting Role for his part as Frank Abagnale
Snr in Catch Me If You Can.

Adaptation won the award for Adapted Screenplay and the Brazilian City of God was
given the BAFTA for Editing. Frida won in the category Make Up and Hair.

My Wrongs 8245-8249 and 117 won the BAFTA in the category Short Film and Fish Never
Sleep won in the Short Animation category.

First Assistant Director David Tomlin and Second Assistant Director Michael Stevenson
were awarded the Michael Balcon Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema,
which is given in the Gift of the Academy.

David’s credits include The Man In The Iron Mask (1998), Braveheart (1995), Indiana
Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Empire of the Sun (1987), Return of the Jedi (1983)
and Gandhi (1982). Michael’s credits include Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
(2001), Pearl Harbour (2001), Mission: Impossible (1996) Interview with the Vampire
(1994), Henry V (1989) and Flash Gordon (1980).

The Academy Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed in recognition of an outstanding
contribution to world cinema, was given to Film Producer Saul Zaentz. Saul’s credits
include the multi Oscar winning One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the original Lord of
the Rings, Amadeus, Mosquito Coast, The Unbearable Lightness of Being and The
English Patient. Previous recipients of The Fellowship include Alfred Hitchcock,
David Lean, Ingmar Bergman, Steven Speilberg, Albert Finney and Elizabeth Taylor.

The Orange British Academy Film Awards were held on the evening of Sunday 23rd
February 2003, at The Odeon, Leicester Square and were produced by Initial (part
of Endemol UK). Hosted for a third year by Stephen Fry the Awards be broadcast
on BBC ONE at 9.00pm on the same evening, and for the sixth year running are
sponsored by Orange.

  

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