20/02/2023 - Edward Berger’s new adaptation of the anti-war classic, a US-German co-production from Netflix, picked up an impressive seven gongs at the British awards bash

The BAFTA awards have been criticised by British commentators in the past for not distinguishing themselves enough from the Oscars; at the latest ceremony, held last night at the Southbank Centre in London, there was a resounding answer to that as All Quiet on the Western Front [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Edward Berger
film profile] picked up an unexpected seven awards. The film was directed by Edward Berger, and this victory is yet another sign of how Netflix, and platforms in general, have moved into the prestige film space, and also further shows how the industry is expanding itself from the old model of theatrical exhibition. A co-production between the USA and Germany steered by Netflix, it had only a nominal theatrical release, and would have been widely viewed exclusively on the platform, where viewer word of mouth seemed to bring it to further prominence.

Historic wide awards sweeps, such as when the trophies nabbed by the likes of Titanic and The English Patient tipped into the double figures, have become rarer in the present day, so it’s doubly impressive that All Quiet on the Western Front was also favoured for Best Original Screenplay, as well as major below-the-line categories like its cinematography. The Banshees of Inisherin [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], viewed as a strong contender since it premiered at Venice, also did well, as Martin McDonagh moved his overall personal BAFTA tally to six and Barry Keoghan cemented his industry-darling status with a Best Supporting Actor win (although the viral clips shared on Twitter of his tragically amusing performance certainly helped his cause).

Notwithstanding recent backlash over diversity, inclusion and best practices, the ceremony is often seen as overlooking the UK’s best auteur directors, with Ken Loach and, more recently, Joanna Hogg nowhere to be found amidst its Hollywood-courting glitz. This had a partial change with one of this year’s triumphs, Aftersun [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], gaining the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer Award. Now, it’s tempting to recall that film’s emotionally charged closing sequence, as the procession of the awards season finally rolls its curtain: this is our last dance, indeed…

There was also a great performance by Baz Luhrmann’s ritzy Elvis and a complete snub for the Oscars frontrunner Everything Everywhere All at Once, while Avatar: The Way of Water emerged as the most prominent nod to American blockbuster cinema.

Here is a complete list of the award winners:

Best Film
All Quiet on the Western Front [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Edward Berger
film profile] – Edward Berger (USA/Germany)

Outstanding British Film
The Banshees of Inisherin [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Martin McDonagh (Ireland/UK/USA)

Best Director
Edward Berger - All Quiet on the Western Front

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer
Aftersun [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Charlotte Wells (UK/USA)

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Austin Butler - Elvis (USA/Australia)

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Cate Blanchett - Tár (USA)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Barry Keoghan - The Banshees of Inisherin

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Kerry Condon - The Banshees of Inisherin

Best Original Screenplay
Martin McDonagh - The Banshees of Inisherin

Best Adapted Screenplay
Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson, Ian Stokell - All Quiet on the Western Front

Best Film Not in the English Language
All Quiet on the Western Front - Edward Berger

Best Documentary
Navalny - Daniel Roher (USA)

Best Animated Film
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio - Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson (USA/Mexico)

Best Casting
Nikki Barrett, Denise Chamian - Elvis

Best Production Design
Florencia Martin, Anthony Carlino - Babylon (USA)

Best Cinematography
James Friend - All Quiet on the Western Front

Best Editing
Paul Rogers - Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Costume Design
Catherine Martin - Elvis

Best Make-up and Hair
Jason Baird, Mark Coulier, Louise Coulston, Shane Thomas - Elvis

Best Special Visual Effects
Richard Baneham, Daniel Barrett, Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon - Avatar: The Way of Water

Best Sound
Lars Ginzsel, Frank Kruse, Viktor Prášil, Markus Stemler - All Quiet on the Western Front

Best Original Music
Volker Bertelmann - All Quiet on the Western Front

Best British Short Film
An Irish Goodbye - Tom Berkeley, Ross White (Ireland/UK)

Best British Short Animation
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse - Peter Baynton, Charlie Mackey, Cara Speller, Hannah Minghella (UK/USA)

EE Rising Star Award
Emma Mackey