Silent movie ‘The Artist’ made itself heard on the awards circuit, leading the field with 12 BAFTA nominations. The French black-and-white comedy, a homage to the “pre-talkie” era set in 1920s and 1930s Hollywood, was short-listed for best film, actor, actress, director and original screenplay by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
It maintains its momentum a week before the Oscar nominations are announced and after its triumph at the Golden Globes when it scooped three prizes.
‘The Artist’, about a silent era movie star whose career collapses with the advent of sound, was one ahead of Cold War-era spy movie ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ which garnered 11 nominations.
‘Hugo’, Martin Scorsese’s family adventure, scored nine followed by ‘My Week With Marilyn’ with six, and five nominations each for ‘The Help’ and ‘War Horse’.
As expected, Meryl Streep made it on to the shortlist for best actress for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in ‘The Iron Lady’. She is heavily favoured to land an Academy Award for the performance.
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’, the last of eight instalments in the record-breaking boy wizard franchise, garnered four nominations-make up and hair, production design, sound and special visual effects.
The BAFTA awards will be handed out on February 12 at London’s Royal Opera House.
