Filmmaker Christopher Nolan enjoyed his first ever Bafta win,
being named best director for his blockbuster biographical drama Oppenheimer.
The British/American movie maker, who grew up in Highgate, also scooped the best film gong at a ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday (February 18).
The film, a US-UK co-production about the American theoretical physicist credited with being the "father of the atomic bomb", won a clutch of awards including best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr and best actor for Cillian Murphy, the first ever Irish winner of that award.
Nolan, who has had previous Bafta nominations for Inception and Dunkirk, joked that his brother Jonathan, the co-creator of TV series Westworld, “beat him up here” by being in a chorus of a production 40 years ago.
He paid tribute to his star Murphy and those who backed the film, adding: “Thank you for taking on something dark.”
The director also acknowledged the efforts of nuclear disarmament organisations to bring peace.
He said: “I do just want to say that our film ends on what I think is a dramatically necessary note of despair.
“But in the real world, there are all kinds of individuals and organisations who have fought long and hard to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world.
“In accepting this, I do just want to acknowledge their efforts and point out that they show the necessity and the potential of efforts for peace.”
In accepting his award, Murphy told Nolan: “Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.”
He said Oppenheimer was a “colossally knotty character”, adding: “We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it’s a privilege to be a part of this community with you all.”
Robert Downey Jr, who won the best supporting actor prize for his role as Lewis Strauss, head of the Atomic Energy Commission, said of Nolan: “Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility.”
He said he owes the award to Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and Murphy, as well as “British influence”.
Oppenheimer also won the Baftas for best cinematography, score and editing.
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