Monday’s announcement of this year’s BAFTA awards brought bright news to the teams behind hit films Moulin Rouge and The Lord of the Rings, which each garnered a dozen nominations, heading up the prestigious list for 2002. The all-singing all-dancing extravaganza and the epic fantasy were closely followed by American director Robert Altman’s Gosford Park and French phenomenon Amelie, which scored an impressive nine nods apiece.
Gosford Park’s Richard E Grant revealed the list of British Academy Of Film And Television Award nominees, which included Nicole Kidman, recognised with a best actress nomination for her dramatic turn in ghost story The Others.Iris actress Dame Judi Dench was also shortlisted for the category, along with 23-year-old Amelie star Audrey Tautou and everybody’s favourite singleton, Renee Zellweger of Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Jim Broadbent and Russell Crowe, who received Golden Globes for their roles in Iris and A Beautiful Mind respectively, have earned nominations for their critically acclaimed work. Also nominated are Sir Ian McKellan for Lord of the Rings, Oscar winner Kevin Spacey for The Shipping News and In The Bedroom’s Tom Wilkinson.
Dame Judi and Jim Broadbent will be doubly honoured on Bafta night, as they are not only up for gongs for their starring roles, but also as supporting players. Dame Judi is nominated for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for her efforts in The Shipping News, while Jim is recognised for Moulin Rouge in the supporting actor category.
There is some tough competition for outstanding British film of the year, with a diverse short list that ranges from singleton favourite Bridget Jones’s Diary to big budget storybook tale Harry Potter. Bridget and Harry will go up against Gosford Park, Iris and Me Without You for the gong.
Says BAFTA Chairman Simon Relph: “I am delighted to see such a broad international sweep as well as some of the best in British talent represented at this year’s nominations.”
The Orange British Academy Film Awards are to be held on Feb. 24, 2002 at The Odeon Leicester Square in central London.
Click here to see the list of nominees
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
