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'Power of the Dog' takes top honours at BAFTA film awards

'Power of the Dog' takes top honours at BAFTA film awards
London, 14 March 2022 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) - "The Power Of The Dog" won top honours at the Bafta film awards in London, where sci-fi blockbuster "Dune" also collected a string of gongs. Will Smith and Joanna Scanlan were named winners of the top acting prizes, while "No Time To Die" actress Lashana Lynch was crowned EE rising star. "Belfast," Sir Kenneth Branagh's autobiographical film about his childhood during the Troubles, won outstanding British film. The star-studded ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall was hosted by "Pitch Perfect" actress Rebel Wilson, who made risque jokes about Prince Andrew, the gender pay gap, her flop film "Cats" and her recent weight loss. She also gave the middle finger to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "The Power Of The Dog," Jane Campion's brooding western, was named best film at the ceremony, while Campion won best director. She was absent from the proceedings, with the best film prize collected by producer Tanya Seghatchian, who said: "Our only regret is the great Jane cannot be standing here." Smith, who also missed the ceremony, was lauded for his role as Richard Williams, the father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, in "King Richard," while Scanlan was celebrated for her leading actress role in "After Love." Oscar frontrunners Troy Kotsur and Ariana DeBose scooped prizes in the supporting categories at the ceremony. Deaf star Kotsur, who was named best supporting actor for family drama "Coda," spoke on stage with his interpreter and made a joke pitch for his next role. Referring to the fact the James Bond franchise is celebrating its 60th anniversary, Kotsur said: "I would just like to say congratulations to James Bond, 007, for the 60th anniversary. Have you considered maybe a deaf James Bond, 008?" DeBose picked up the supporting actress prize for her turn as Anita in the remake of "West Side Story," while Lynch collected the EE rising star award, the only Bafta prize voted for by the public, from last year's winner Bukky Bakray. Blockbuster "Dune," directed by Denis Villeneuve and based on Frank Herbert's 1965 novel, picked up five wins on the night for special visual effects, cinematography, sound, original score and production design. Disney juggernaut "Encanto" was named best animated film, while "Summer Of Soul (...or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)," directed by The Roots star Questlove, was named best documentary.