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US Recession Drama 'Nomadland' Wins Best Film at British Film Awards

Reuters

   LONDON - U.S. recession drama "Nomadland," about a community of van
   dwellers, was the big winner at Britain's BAFTA awards on Sunday,
   scooping best film and prizes for its Chinese-born director Chloe Zhao
   and leading actress Frances McDormand.

   The British Academy of Film and Television Arts ceremony was held
   virtually over two nights, with nominees joining in by video, because
   of the COVID-19 pandemic.

   However, film stars Hugh Grant and Priyanka Chopra Jonas appeared in
   person at London's Royal Albert Hall while Renee Zellweger and Anna
   Kendrick joined from a Los Angeles studio to present the awards.

   "Nomadland," which has already picked up prizes this awards season,
   stars 63-year-old McDormand as a widow, who in the wake of the U.S.
   economic recession, turns her van into a mobile home and sets out on
   the road, taking on seasonal jobs along the way.

   "We would like to dedicate this award to the nomadic community who so
   generously welcomed us into their lives," Zhao, who won the director
   category, said in her acceptance speech.

   "Thank you for showing us that aging is a beautiful part of life, a
   journey that we should all cherish and celebrate. How we treat our
   elders says a lot about who we are as a society and we need to do
   better."

   "Nomadland" also won for cinematography.

   Outstanding British film went to #MeToo revenge movie "Promising Young
   Woman," which also won original screenplay.

   The academy also paid tribute to Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth's
   husband, who died on Friday, at age 99. Philip was named BAFTA's first
   president in 1959. His grandson Prince William is BAFTA's current
   president.

   Following an outcry last year when BAFTA presented an all-white acting
   contenders list, more than half of this year's 24 nominees were actors
   of color.

   Film veteran Anthony Hopkins won the leading actor category for
   portraying a man with dementia in "The Father."

   "I'm at a time in my life where I never expected to get this," the
   83-year-old told reporters of the award, adding his age had made making
   the movie "easy."

   Youn Yuh-jung won supporting actress for "Minari," in which she plays a
   grandmother who travels from South Korea to the United States to look
   after her grandchildren.

   The 73-year-old, who has won a Screen Actors Guild award and has been
   nominated for an Oscar for her performance, drew laughs in her
   acceptance speech when she jokingly said it was particularly meaningful
   to be recognized by "British people, known as very snobbish people."

   Daniel Kaluuya, who has swept this awards season for his portrayal of
   late Black Panther activist Fred Hampton in "Judas and the Black
   Messiah," won supporting actor.

   "Brokeback Mountain" and "Life of Pi" director Ang Lee received the
   BAFTA Fellowship, the academy's top honor, for his contribution to
   film.