‘Dune’ scooped at the BAFTA Awards

The sci-fi epic Dune directed by Denis Villeneuve took home five awards at the British Film Awards, known as the BAFTAs, yesterday. The most coveted award went to Jane Campion’s western drama The Power Of The Dog, for which it won Best Picture. Campion, 67, who missed the glamorous gala at London’s Royal Albert Hall, also received a BAFTA award for directing. The critically acclaimed “Belfast” by Kenneth Branagh won Best British Film. “Cinema comes alive,” Prana chanted.

Will Smith receives an award in absentia

Two weeks before the Oscars in Los Angeles, American actor Will Smith took home the best actor award for “King Richard”, a film about the Williams sisters, but he also missed London. British actress Joanna Scanlan was delighted with her Best Actress award, defeating Lady Gaga (“House Of Gucci”) and Tessa Thompson (“Change of Side”), among others. Scanlan held back tears as she spoke.

Awards for supporting roles went to Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) and American Troy Kotsur (“Coda”), who became the first deaf actor to receive a BAFTA award.

A big compliment to Shirley Bassey

Nominated 11 times, “Dunes” won the most, as expected, in the categories of camera, editing, visual effects and sound. The film’s music by composer Hans Zimmer was also honored.

“Summer of the Soul (…or When the Revolution Can’t Be Broadcast on TV)” was selected as the best documentary. It is the directorial debut of Ahmir Thompson, better known as Questlove. He is the drummer for The Roots, which is also the home band of American show host Jimmy Fallon.

Mrs. Shirley Bassey opened the glamorous award ceremony. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the James Bond films, the 85-year-old sang her 007 song “Diamonds Are Forever”. For her performance at Royal Albert Hall, the singer received a standing ovation from guests, including Bond producer duo Barbara Broccoli and Michael J. Wilson and Bond girl Lea Seydoux.