BAFTAs 2011 Nominations

The BAFTA nominations were released yesterday. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts first started in 1947 and since have become the British equivalent of the Oscars. 

The BAFTAs are one of my favourite events of the year, mixing the best in film with the best in television; it makes for an unmissable night. 

Here are some of the main categories and the nominees I believe should win...

BEST FILM:

Black Swan
Inception
True Grit
The King's Speech
The Social Network

This is always going to be a tough one, especially if, like me, you haven’t seen all those nominated (despite wanting to, of course), so it’s hard to compare them. Out of the three I have seen (Inception, The King’s Speech and The Social Network) I would choose The Social Network, with Inception a close runner up. The Social Network and Black Swan are ‘Academy’ type films, so it will definitely be a close one this year. 

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM:

127 hours

Another Year

Four Lions

The King’s Speech

Made in Dagenham

For me it’s between 127 hours and The King’s Speech. Four Lions was quite a controversial film, so it depends how the Academy want to play this category. The King’s Speech has only just been released, and Another Year had many good reviews, so again it will be an interesting result. 

DIRECTOR:

127 hours - Danny Boyle

Black Swan - Darren Aronofsky

Inception - Christopher Nolan

The King’s Speech - Tom Hooper

The Social Network - David Fincher

After Boyle’s success last year, it would be good to see either Nolan or Fincher win this year, both ridiculously good directors. The best directed for me is Inception, as it was such a clever, complicated film, but Nolan made the shifts between dreams and realities look effortless - a beautiful film. 

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:

Black Swan

The Fighter

Inception

The Kids Are All Right

The King’s Speech

For sheer originality Inception deserves to win. Nolan created such a genius film that is complicated, but never feels complicated and always makes complete sense. Perfection. 

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

127 hours

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

The Social Network

Toy Story 3

True Grit

During, after, and since watching The Social Network I commented on how funny, clever and sharp the writing in this remarkable film was. Never lagging, always unpredictable, the writing was what made the film for me (as well as the great acting of course). It’s refreshing.

LEADING ACTOR:

Javier Bardem - Biutiful

Jeff Bridges - True Grit

Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network

Colin Firth - The King’s Speech

James Franco - 127 hours

Before I saw The King’s Speech I would have chosen Jesse Eisenberg for sure. His portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg was outstanding, but Firth may have out done him... just. This may have been helped by the directing, writing, everything, to make him look good. But mostly it’s just because he’s so good. Eisenberg has plenty of time to win a BAFTA, so hopefully he’ll back next year on top. 

LEADING ACTRESS:

Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right

Julianne Moore - The Kids Are All Right

Natalie Portman - Black Swan

Noomi Rapace - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit

Absolutely the winner here will be Natalie Portman. From what I’ve seen of Black Swan; it was made for her. Moore and Bening were also pretty good in The Kids Are All Right so they may be the dark horses here. 

So who do you want to win? Find out the winners on Sunday 13th February! 

You can still vote for the Orange Wednesday Rising Star Award by clicking here.