What the BAFTA Winners Say About Awards Season So Far

0:05Hi, I'm Choma Nardi and welcome to the run through. Today, us Brits have taken over Nicole's Tuesday episode with a special recap of the British Film and Television Awards, otherwise known as the BAFTAs. I'm joined by Deputy Global Editorial Lead at GQ, Adam Badawi, a very dear friend and colleague, and film and culture editor, Radhika Seth. Welcome to the show, you two. Radhika, this is not your first rodeo. No. It is, and I love coming on this podcast. Yeah, we love having your insights because I just feel like you are my film oracle. Every time I watch a film I'm like I wonder what Radhika thought of this and one time we were sat next to each other we were yeah very randomly at the premiere for Blitz starring Saoirse Ronan and directed by Steve McQueen and Saoirse was our lovely cover star last year and yeah I was just like oh my god now I get to in real time I get to compare notes with Radhika so so happy to have you on.

1:06So great to be on. Yeah. And Adam, honestly, it's been such a wonderful, it's been so great. So everybody should know that one of our biggest events on the Vogue calendar happened last year, the Fashion and Film Party. And for the first time, we collaborated with GQ. So Adam and I were co-hosting alongside Cynthia Erivo. So major. Love her. Love her to pieces. Adrian Brody, who won Best Actor, which is insane. And Mikey Madison, who kind of stormed, was kind of a surprise winner as Best Actress. And then Harris Dickinson, who I feel like was robbed because that film should have been nominated.

1:45I loved Baby Girl. And we had a lot of fun with the cocktail menu because we wanted to make sure that there was a tall glass of milk on the menu and we called bit father figure. So yeah, so all of it was just really fun. It's an event that we've been doing with Tiffany for the past few years. And it was so fun to do it with you, Adam. It was an honor. And it's also an honor to be running through with you both. Big fan of the pod. Oh, my God, we've got so much to get through. So I'm going to go ahead and dive right in because I have many thoughts. And I also want to get you guys take because it's been such a fun awards season, so many great films.

2:28So obviously, I'm always going to start with the fashion. So let's start with the fashion. I actually loved, this is, I don't think this look was called out enough, actually. I loved Rafe Cassidy's really bright young British actress, and she was wearing Mew Mew. And it was kind of like a really subtle way to do that 1940s old Hollywood. And it felt really modern and fresh. And she just looked really great. I mean, I thought the guys always kind of come i mean like you know like come correct i mean look at coleman domingo and that oh my god was that for sachi it was like yes it was unmistakably for sachi i also loved um that mcqueen that demi more war customer queen um and also uh marianne jean baptiste war mcqueen and i'm just such a huge fan of hers you know who else i really loved and And I feel like she's been just winning this season was Selena Gomez in Schiaparelli.

3:27I thought she looked radiant and happy. And, you know, like, obviously she's engaged. And she's having such a wonderful award season and looking just beautiful. Like, no other word for it. 100%. Yeah. What were your favorites? Well, do you remember that kid in, like, PE class or, like, phys ed who was, like, quicker and stronger? and more athletic than the other kids and the teacher would be like, whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down, give the other kids a chance. That's Coleman Domingo and the red carpet circuit. So it's like, okay, fine, gold star, definitely. I really like what Timmy's been doing with his like Bob Dylan pastiche and sometimes it's like really subtle nods and sometimes it's very unsubtle nods and I just think it's a really fun way of promoting a film.

4:17I loved the Bottega last night. It looked really strong, and I like that he's taking the fashion seriously, but also not that seriously. It's a nice sweet spot. I feel like the men in the last, I would say, have you seen a change on the red carpet in the last 10, maybe five years? Because I thought before it just was always the tuxedo, but now you almost rarely see it now. I know. It seems like such a safe option. Yeah, I had a conversation with Rami Malek. We did an interview a few months after he won his Oscar. and at a certain point I was just like, did you agonize at all about what to wear?

4:53Because he wore a series of really beautiful tuxes and he said at the time that Leonardo DiCaprio just straightforward advised him, he's like, just wear the damn tux. Like, you know, just go for the solid option. But I actually love what's happened over the past few years because now you still have that beautiful classicism that's going to age so beautifully. Adrian Brody. Adrian Brody, Exhibit A. Just so, like, dapper. King of proportions. Oh, my God. You have that, and that's not going to go anywhere. And I thought Cillian Murphy did it so beautifully last year and updated it. But then you can have Coleman Domingo, who's nominated for Best Actor, and he was phenomenal in Sing Sing, and he's rocking up in Versace.

5:36Have it both ways. I feel like that's a nice evolution. Yeah, same. I feel like it used to be that we would sometimes own, we wouldn't really consider the men for best dressed for the best dressed list. And then there was a sudden shift where and I think we're going to see. I mean, I'm really looking forward to the Met Gala, which is Vogue and GQ's next big collaboration. Oh, wow. So I think we're going to really see like where we're kind of menswear, like how it can sing on the red carpet, because there are just so many men who are doing such interesting things. Radhika, I kind of want to have like a reason why.

6:14Like, give us a why about the British Academy Film Awards, the BAFTAs. Why are they so important for the industry here? I think it's just the biggest night for the industry here, but we don't get a lot of chances, I think, to celebrate things. And I feel like in awards season, you see, like, there's so many American celebrations of film around this time. And I think we obviously have, like, our Critics Awards, but it's really that big, glitzy kind of equivalent of the Oscars that we have. But also, I think it's very, like, uniquely British. In a way, Adam, you're laughing. I have. I'll share thoughts later.

6:46I feel like that's kind of the thing I love the most about it because it's like a celebration of British talent as well. But it's like a place where Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner have to watch Take That perform. I know. I mean, let's talk about the show. I mean, you were there. I was there. Can you describe for our American listeners, like, take that in like a couple of sentences? Who are they? Why do they matter? I feel like maybe I'm the wrong person to answer that question Get in there, get in there They are a boy band who I was not I mean I don't know if I was a big fan when I was growing up I don't know if hugely but I guess they were quite a big deal for a while and obviously this year with Onora the song Greatest Day opens Onora it's like a great scene and obviously they were like what better opportunity than this to bring Take That Back and literally watching it was amazing because I was sort of like in the back of the theatre watching all these like Valentine's Day, like almost like leftover heart balloons, like popping up.

7:45And we were like, what is this? And they're like, well, the darts is getting ready. And then we were like, oh no, it's happening. And then watching, I watched it back on TV and it's just so surreal to see it. It was like, I can't, I can't believe it. But yeah, then they, I think like Gary Barlow like gave Mikey Madison like a heart balloon as he was going downstairs. I'll also say that one thing I love about the BAFTAs is that it has so much prestige. And like, correct me if I'm wrong, Radhika, the Oscar voting window is still open. And this is the last big award show that can kind of influence those votes.

8:19So it is clutch. It's incredibly crucial. It's big for the studios. It's big for the talent. It's like the last big push in a lot of ways. And so it has all that prestige. But then, as you said, it's incredibly British. And I grew up in Australia, as you can probably hear from my voice. And I think British and Australian culture share all this connective tissue. and one of those commonalities is that we can't hack things being too earnest or too self-serious and so the the ceremony is just like at times so incredibly middle brow and i love it you got take that and they open the show with like a rendition of a sing-along of 500 miles yeah and like you know david tenett singing 500 miles by the proclaimers yeah hands the microphone to anna Kendrick who sings a line.

9:08I'm like, that is not going to happen at any other award show. That is incredibly specific. And how wonderful is that? The best moment is he's walking down the stairs and he says something to Selena while he's singing. And you can see she's so shocked. What's going on?

9:28Okay, so we're going to take a quick break. More on the BAFTAs in a minute.

9:37Thank you.

10:07Buff, Little Gold Men from Vanity Fair has everything you need to know about this year's Oscar race. Follow and listen to Little Gold Men wherever you get your podcasts.

10:26And okay, we're back. I mean, were there any surprises last night? Who do you think were the clear front runners. I mean, I know everybody's been talking about Adrian Brody, but often at the BAFTAs, they choose the Brits. They lean towards the Brits. So I think it was like a tight race between Rafe and Ralph Fiennes and Adrian Brody, correct me if I'm wrong. Yeah, no, totally. It completely felt like that. I think Conclave did so well. So towards the end, I was like, wait, this could actually go Rafe's way. But I think Adrian's very strong in that. And I think also Zoe Saldana for Emilia Perez and then Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain.

11:03It feels like that those three feel quite cemented unless the SAGs, I feel like, could change that. But at the moment, they've kind of won everything that's been going. Wow. And I think that's why when it came to Best Actress, it felt very inevitable that Demi would win. And I loved the substance. I loved Demi in the substance. I hope she wins an Oscar. But then when it was Mikey, it was genuinely the only really, really big surprise of the night. And that you kind of need that in a ceremony. Otherwise, you're, you know, It's always wonderful to be there, but it always becomes a bit inevitable.

11:32And then it's easier to tune out. But then it was really quite shocking and kind of lovely. She was on stage. I thought her speech was really wonderful. And she gave a shout out to the sex worker community and said, I'll always be an ally for you. It was just a really lovely moment. And she's not had enough moments on stage, I think, so far in awards season. So I'm like, yeah, bring it on, Mikey. What did you think of Anora? I like Anora a lot. I think it's, I don't know, I feel like I saw it at Cannes and I felt like it was really fun, but maybe also a little bit overhyped. But I feel like that's maybe been the case for lots of stuff this year.

12:07I feel like it's all been quite divisive. And lots of people who like absolutely love Nora. But I like it a lot, but it's not my favorite film of the year, I think. But I think she is just undeniably fantastic. Yeah, I can't wait to see her in something else. And I love, I feel like, and I've said this before, I feel like she's kind of the kind of breakout red carpet star and is like destined for a contract if she's not already signed and sealed one. I also loved David Johnson, who won The Rising Star. Oh, my God. I haven't actually met him. Tell me about David Johnson. So do you guys watch Industry?

12:39Yes. He's fantastic in Industry. He was also so good in Rye Lane as well. Oh, I love Rye Lane. And it was really cool, actually, because this year I got to be on the jury to pick the shortlist for The Rising Star. That's exciting. So tell us, how does it work? It was amazing. It was sort of like you go into a room and it's like a two or three hour, I think, deliberation, basically. So you talk through all the contenders and it's completely... And how long is the list, the sort of original shortlist? Yes, there's like a long list that's like, I think, about 20 or 25. The BAFTA, sort of there's like panels who put that together and then we're given sort of 20, 25 to bring that down to five.

13:14And it's like a discussion. It's like a closed room. so it's completely confidential, very candid. Is it a mixture of other journalists? And what does the committee look like? Yeah, a combination. So journalists, producers, casting directors as well. And it's really cool to talk to different people from different parts of the industry about kind of how they view casting and also young actors because it's so different, I think, from journalism. And yeah, I'm really happy that he was on our list. And then to see him, I haven't met him, but I've only heard such wonderful things. He's like the nicest guy ever, isn't he?

13:45He's like a complete sweetheart. Incredible in industry. He's actually, I think, the only person in British GQ history we honoured him at Man of the Year two years in a row because he just kept on making great stuff. He was awesome. That's so good. And he was so good in Alien Romulus. Yeah. He was phenomenal. And he's a sweetheart. You're going to love that. I love it when someone really deserving gets the award. I mean, the rising star categories, is it unique to the BAFTAs? I don't think I've, or are there other award ceremonies that have a similar format? There's sometimes like breakthrough actor categories or like young actor categories.

14:20I feel like maybe Critics' Choice is like a young actor one. But this is kind of different because it's not just, you don't have to just be young, you have to be in the early stages of your career. So the age thing is a little bit more flexible. But I think it is pretty unique to what it does. And also it was the 20th year anniversary this year. Oh, who have been like notable winners of it in the past? Have they gone on to do great things? Yeah, yeah. So the two former winners came to present the award this time. so Letitia Wright and James McAvoy who won the first prize 20 years ago and they kept saying 20 years ago and he came out and he was like I feel really old because everyone keeps repeating it's 20 years but last year Mia McKenna Bruce won oh I love Mia McKenna which was amazing yeah it's a really great line up of people remind me of the film that she won for How to Have Sex that's it How to Have Sex I loved that film it was so good yeah it was brilliant such a great winner last year such a great winner this year I felt like it was kind of to me I was like maybe Mikey's gonna get it Right, me too.

15:16Right. And maybe like Marissa Bella was a possibility. I feel like she's super popular in industry. But then I was really surprised. And his speech was so lovely as well. He was sort of, I think he ended it with something like, oh, a star, I'm not sure, but rising, I guess. Looking at his prize and I was like, this is the best scripted line ever. I love you so much. He's the best. It was like really genuinely heartwarming. Oh, were there any other speeches that you felt stood out? Because I feel like the award ceremony speech can go really great, can hit all the right notes or can just be like terrible.

15:55I think it's quite a hard thing to get right. And I feel like my highlights were definitely David and Mikey. And I think generally there was like a nice atmosphere of people like thanking family and thanking their mothers. And again, as you were saying, Adam, like very British, like a proper Britishness in how people sort of express themselves. I guess not very showy, quite understated generally. So I think those two were my standouts. When I need to get pumped up, I sometimes go back and watch Cuba Gooding Jr.'s speech from when he won for Jerry Maguire. He's just like so sincere and like enthusiastic.

16:29I'm like, hell yeah, let's go. And I feel like every award season needs someone that's just a little bit like 5 % unhinged about it and just happy to be there, you know? I don't like it when it's too scripted. Give me the rock. I love it when they just speak from the heart or they're like, I didn't repair anything for this. Or they just kind of like tear up the piece of paper or like crumple it up. You can tell when people are sort of like, you know, I mean, it must be so. Even for people who are used to being in the spotlight, it must be quite a vulnerable moment. Yeah, and getting the right balance of like saying everything you need to, but not looking too scripted.

17:04Right. But also like, I guess like you have to nail it. So many things come into nailing a speech, I feel. It's like you talk about the film, but about yourself, the narrative that you're creating around yourself and the performance. And I feel like a great example this season has been like Demi Moore at the Globes. Textbook. Right. Completely textbook. But also I was like, oh, this is perfect. Like she did that. And I was like, give her the Oscar today because that's how you do it. Like you have a minute, right, to like nail it. And I think it's hard. And I feel like she did it then. And I feel like, I mean, Mikey's was obviously very off the cuff.

17:35But there was a feeling, I think, in the room where I was like, I could see this happening at the Oscars. It's not impossible, right? I'm excited for the Oscars. I think I like that there's a little bit of uncertainty. I do think Adrian Brody is going to win. My guys are locked. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, obviously, team Adrian. Were there any funny or apart from take that, were there any funny, awkward moments in the room that you kind of had to be there to know? So many. I'm trying to think of what I can actually talk about because I just wrote a piece that was, it's just gone up that was about like what it was right being in the room.

18:13And there was a moment, maybe this isn't, I don't know what was happening. So maybe it's not kosher to talk about it. But it basically, Mark Hamill was presenting best film. And then something happened. And I don't know what it was. It was like he had some sort of like wardrobe malfunction. Like Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill. Like Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill. And I just, I was too far away to tell what was going on. and like no one really knew and the camera cut away and I watched it back on TV and they've just cut it all out. I just don't. But the BAFTAs is full of this because so much of it is edited.

18:43Well, because they start it early and they have to trim it to fit into that slot. Yeah. Is that right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because it's shorter. But then they also just edit out lots of stuff. So Zoe Saldana winning Best Supporting Actress, like Spore in her speech, but that's edited out, obviously. And then, yeah, there's some sort of, Emilia Perez as Jacques Odia, the director, won Best International Film. And then his speech was sort of concentrated into just a line that was sort of broadcast as awards presented earlier in the show. But his speech was incredibly long. Well, they saved him. They did him a favor.

19:20I think they did because, yes, he was like, and to my dear Carla Sophia, I thank you so much. And that was not in the broadcast. Surely you want to leave that, Like you want people to talk about your show anyway. But I think it's like peak BBC, which is like it must be cozy and fine and like uncontroversial. It kind of feeds back into what we were saying. It's got to be a particular way around here. I've got to respect that. I also, we haven't talked about it, but Jeff Goldblum on the piano was really great as well. Oh, wow. I actually really liked that. I love him. I feel like it's really hard to do the In Memoriam section well.

19:55Is that what he did? He played piano for the Immemorium section. He did. Yeah, I feel like it was really and it's like, I don't know, they had like pictures of sort of Maggie Smith and like all the great people we've lost this year. And then he was playing and it was actually quite emotional. And I feel like it's hard to do that segment in a way that's, I don't know, feels fresh and but also still kind of honoring all the people. That's beautiful. So that was really nice. But it's really interesting about the way it needs to be presented and chopped. And it's a very fun and very unique show. But I wonder if like the famous Oscar slap, like what would they do?

20:34Oh my God. I'm just glad I was alive to witness that in real time. Me too. I'm glad I was. I mean, that was, yeah, you kind of live. I mean, I wonder if that kind of approach to broadcasting stifles viral moments, you know, like, I mean, It felt like there were still a couple of viral moments. I think Timmy and Kylie's post-Valentine's like canoodling session is obviously the fact that they're now. I remember when they were so sort of gingerly kind of stepping into the spotlight together. Now it's like they're fully holding hands. She touches his cheek. It's like a whole new leaven of PDA. But yeah, what would you guys say were the viral moments?

21:13I think something about seeing them also sitting in these very normal seats. to the World Festival Hall. Our colleague, the brilliant Emily Chan, was saying they're sitting on these quite creaky old seats and there's something about that being really humanising and great. And just their expressions at everything that was happening. I just couldn't, every time they came on the screen, I just couldn't look away. Yeah, I think it's interesting because I think in a way it does stifle viral moments because anything very controversial is edited out. But I think it only works at the BAFTAs when it's a viral moment they don't know was a viral moment.

21:48So like a Ariana DeBose rap. Accidental viral. Which like they obviously thought was fine because it was broadcast. Sure was. Wow. This was I think three, no, two years ago maybe, the year before last year. So I didn't go to that one very sadly. But Ariana DeBose was brought on the BAFTA stage to do a rap about the contenders of the year. And she like shouted them all out in rap form. And that's where we got the line, Angela Bassett did the thing. Yes. Vala Davis, My Woman King. I mean, I can do it. I can probably do all of it. Run for the show now. Yeah, I mean. I'm so impressed that you know this rap.

22:23You do this in the shower. I actually do. It's so good. This brings me so much joy. I think there's a bit where she says, Anna, girl, you are great in blonde. And it pans to Anna de Armas looking so angry. She just looks like stone-faced. Amazing. But it's like the masters will never be that good ever again. I'm really sad. Yeah, that was amazing. And I feel like Ariana has never been able to live that down. Yeah, because I feel like there was a period... She acknowledged it, didn't she, in a witch at summer awards ceremony. Yeah, she was like hosting something and she made a joke about it. Yeah, which is good.

23:00I respect that so much. Yeah, me too. Like, lean in, let's go. Exactly. I think that's so, I think that's so, like, I don't know, it's so important to be able to laugh at yourself in those moments. I mean, unless you're Will Smith, I don't know. After the break, more behind the scenes from the biggest award show in the UK.

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23:58Okay, well, Adam. Yes. We obviously hosted this after party. Yes. What were your highlights of the night? What was it like? Tell us everything. Set the scene. Okay, so GQ was very honored to come together with Vogue for this year's Fashion and Film. We were very honored to have you. I'm very grateful. It was very fun. We did it at Tramp, which is iconic for many a reason. Google it, guys. Google it. Don't Google it. No, maybe not. As you please. I would say it was just slinky and sexy and really intimate, which I loved. People actually danced, which I really loved. Shout out to James McAvoy, my eternal king, the best party guest every single time.