BAFTA 2020: amid diversity criticism for the lack of people of colour, and women directors for the seventh year in a row, Joker leads with 11 nominations starring Joaquin Phoenix.
BAFTA Awards 2020
If you haven't heard about Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of the Joker, you've likely been living under a rock! The film sparked international controversy with many divided, but that hasn't deterred the 11 nominations at the annual British Academy of Film and Television Arts star-stud event. It's not all love and roses for people of colour, or female directors as there's an evident lack of diversity.
The Issues
For an incredible seventh year in a row there has been no female directors nominated for a BAFTA Award. Speaking on the BBC's Radio 4 programme BAFTA CEO Amanda Berry said "I'm going to totally agree with you. That's how I felt when I first saw the list" in response to the actor's list being "very white". Berry also stated that she felt "very disappointed" by the lack of diversity.
Marc Samuelson, the chair of BAFTA's film committee has said that "We can't make the industry do something, all we can do is encourage and push and inspire and try to help people coming in at the bottom end", and BAFTA's deputy chairman Krishnendu Majumdar claiming the idea an "industry-wide problem" for female visionaries.
People of Colour
There was no room whatsoever for the talented Cynthia Erivo's amazing work on the slave-turned-abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who was recently nominated at the Golden Globes for her role in the escaping slavery biopic - did you hear about the $20 bill redesign with Harriet Tubman? Unfortunately, the $20 bill featuring Harriet Tubman will no longer be unveiled in 2020. Leading actresses include Jessie Buckley (Wild Rose), Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story), Saoirse Ronan (Little Women), Charlize Theron (Bombshell), and Renée Zellweger (Judy) - see the BAFTA 2020 nominations in full.
Blue Story Censorship
Director Rapman's film Blue Story was totally snubbed with the exception of a rising star category award, as it was deemed controversial and received censorship by several cinema chains after an outburst of violence. On social media the hashtag #BaftasSoWhite on Twitter began to trend with the director saying "The lack of of black faces is ridiculous". Romford actor Michael Ward - who stars in Blue Story and Top Boy - is nominated for the Rising Star BAFTA Award, others including Awkwafina (Farewell), Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart's), and Kelvin Harrison Jnr (Waves).