The Bafta Film Award nominations for this year reveal that Christopher Nolan’s film “Oppenheimer” leads with a total of 13 nominations. Cillian Murphy, who portrayed J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist known as the father of the atomic bomb, received a nomination for his performance. Other notable contenders include “Barbie” with five nominations, on par with the cult hit drama “Saltburn.” “Poor Things” secured 11 nods, while “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “The Zone of Interest” both received nine nominations each. These films represent the diverse range of recognition at this year’s Bafta Film Awards.
Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” a three-hour epic on the making of the atomic weapon has already garnered eight Critics Choice Awards and five Golden Globes and leads the Bafta Film Award nominations with 13 nods, including Best Film, Director, and Adapted Screenplay. Cillian Murphy, who stars in the film expressed joy over the recognition, especially for Nolan.
Despite being the top-grossing film of 2023 and receiving positive reviews, “Barbie,” which is centered around the doll’s feminist awakening, missed out on a nomination for Best Film. Robert Downey Jr., who is nominated for his supporting role in “Oppenheimer,” is considered a frontrunner at the Oscars. Greta Gerwig did not make the shortlist for Best Director, where only one woman, Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall,” is featured. “Barbie” received nominations for Margot Robbie as Best Actress and Ryan Gosling as Best Supporting Actor.
Other nominations
Bradley Cooper received dual nominations at the Bafta Film Awards for his work on “Maestro,” a biopic of US conductor Leonard Bernstein. Cooper is recognized in the categories of Best Leading Actor and Best Director for his contributions to the film. “Maestro” explores Bernstein’s relationship with actress Felicia Montealegre, portrayed by Carey Mulligan, who is nominated for Best Leading Actress. The film delves into the complex dynamics between Bernstein and Montealegre, offering a portrayal of the renowned conductor’s life and connections.
Barry Keoghan from “Saltburn” has secured a spot on the Bafta Film Awards shortlist for Best Actor. Additionally, Rosamund Pike and Jacob Elordi have received nominations for their supporting roles in the same film. The psychological thriller, directed by Emerald Fennell, is also in the running for the Outstanding British Film category. The plot revolves around a wealthy university student who brings a friend home for the summer and the film has garnered attention for its explicit scenes which has sparked divided reactions.
Who was not nominated?
In the Bafta Film Awards nominations, Robert De Niro secures a spot in the Supporting Actor category for his role in an epic film, marking his first acting nomination in 33 years. Despite De Niro’s recognition, the film’s director Martin Scorsese, lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and lead actress Lily Gladstone did not make the cut. Lily Gladstone, who won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in January, is considered a favorite for the Oscars.
The British film “One Life,” featuring Sir Anthony Hopkins as a stockbroker who aided in saving 669 mostly Jewish children from the Nazis before World War Two, did not receive a nomination.
The Bafta Film Awards 2024 are scheduled for February 18 at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London, with David Tennant hosting the ceremony.
