“The Brutalist” won Best Film at the London Critics’ Circle Awards, while RaMell Ross took Best Director. Ralph Fiennes earned Best Actor for “Conclave,” and Marianne Jean-Baptiste was awarded Actress of the Year for “Hard Truths.” Other notable winners included Jesse Eisenberg and Daniel Craig, highlighting a broad array of talent in the film sector.
Brady Corbet’s film “The Brutalist,” a drama exploring a Hungarian architect’s experiences in post-war America, clinched Best Film at the London Critics’ Circle Awards. Despite its recognition, the movie was outperformed in other categories; Best Director went to RaMell Ross for “Nickel Boys,” which also won for technical achievement in cinematography.
During a video address at the ceremony, Corbet expressed gratitude to the Critics Circle and Universal Pictures for the award, stating, “I’m genuinely touched by the recognition – it means a lot to us.”
Edward Berger’s adaptation of “Conclave” earned two awards, including Best Actor for Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes, at the event held at May Fair Hotel, humbly acknowledged, “I feel very delighted to receive this… but I think in my heart I scratch my head about the concept [of] there being winners when you are acting.”
“A Real Pain,” a Holocaust comedy by Jesse Eisenberg, also gathered two wins for Kieran Culkin’s supporting role and Eisenberg’s screenplay. Marianne Jean-Baptiste won Actress of the Year for “Hard Truths,” expressing the award’s significance, particularly coming from London.
Mikey Madison from “Anora” was honoured as Breakthrough Performer, while Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light” was recognised as Foreign Language Film of the Year. The documentary prize went to “No Other Land,” directed by Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers.
In animation, “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” triumphed over “Inside Out 2.” Saoirse Ronan earned British/Irish Performer of the Year for her performances in “The Outrun” and “Blitz.” 14-year-old Nykiya Adams won Young British/Irish Performer of the Year.
Daniel Craig received the Dilys Powell award for excellence in film, presented by co-star Lesley Manville. Zoe Saldaña was awarded the Derek Malcolm award for innovation and also won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the musical “Emilia Pérez.”
As the Academy Awards approach, “Emilia Pérez” leads with thirteen nominations, followed by “Wicked” and “The Brutalist” with ten each. “Conclave” and the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” follow with eight nominations. Saldaña publicly distanced herself from backlash regarding controversial remarks made by her film’s co-star, Karla Sofía Gascón, who apologised for her statements.
The London Critics’ Circle Awards celebrate excellence in film, recognising outstanding performances and films each year. The awards not only spotlight established movies but also introduce emerging talent, fostering recognition for films that may have been overlooked during major awards seasons like the Oscars. This year’s ceremony highlighted diverse storytelling and showcased a mix of prominent and independent filmmakers.
The London Critics’ Circle Awards highlighted significant achievements in film, with “The Brutalist” taking home Best Film. While various films and performances were recognised, standout winners included director RaMell Ross, Ralph Fiennes, and Jesse Eisenberg. The event shed light on both established stars and rising talent, reaffirming the rich tapestry of contemporary cinema.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com