'The Power of the Dog', 'Dune' triumph at BAFTAs

AFP/ Ben Stansall

Western "The Power of the Dog" scooped the top two honours at the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), winning best film and director for Jane Campion, while sci-fi epic "Dune" picked up the most prizes.

New Zealand filmmaker Campion wrapped up a successful weekend for her comeback feature film, after winning the top honours at the Directors Guild of America awards in Beverly Hills the day before.

Based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, the critically-acclaimed movie set on a 1920s Montana ranch marks the return of Oscar winner Campion to feature films since 2009’s Bright Star.

"Jane...you are a visionary whose trail blazed through the last 30 years of cinema with stories about the silenced, the under-represented and the misunderstood," producer Tanya Seghatchian said as she accepted the award on behalf of Campion, who was absent.

Campion later briefly appeared via a video call on the phone of one of the film's producers during the winners' press conference, and said she was "overwhelmed".

Hosted by Australian actress and comedian Rebel Wilson, this year's ceremony, known as the BAFTAs returned as a usual glitzy red carpet event at London's Royal Albert Hall, following a virtual event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dune, a mammoth adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel, had lead nominations with 11 nods, mainly in the creative and technical categories. It won five awards.

Steven Spielberg's West Side Story remake won two awards, including best supporting actress for Ariana DeBose.

An absent Will Smith won the leading actor award for playing the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard, while Joanna Scanlan won leading actress for portraying a widow who discovers her late husband's devastating secret in After Love.

More from Entertainment

  • David Gray to take the stage in Dubai on October 31

    British singer-songwriter David Gray is set to take the stage in Dubai on October 31, as part of his ‘Past and Present’ world tour. Along with new music, the "Babylon" singer is also expected to play hits from his extensive discography.

  • China's 'Nezha 2' becomes highest-grossing animated film globally

    Chinese animated blockbuster 'Nezha 2' overtook Pixar's 'Inside Out 2' on Tuesday to become the highest-grossing animated film globally, according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan.

  • Filipino superstars BINI to play Dubai

    Award-winning Filipino P-Pop sensations, BINI, will perform at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena as one of the first stops on their “BINIverse” world tour 2025 on Sunday, May 18.

  • 'Conclave' named best film at BAFTAs

    Papal selection thriller "Conclave" and period drama "The Brutalist" were the big winners at the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday, winning four prizes each.

  • Abu Dhabi establishes Folk Arts Committee

    Abu Dhabi Executive Council has issued a resolution on folk arts performances in the emirate, to establish the Abu Dhabi Folk Arts Committee, chaired by Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.