BAFTA 2020: ‘1917’ receives the big winner leaving ‘Joker’ behind

First World War drama ‘1917’ receives the big winner at the BAFTA 2020 on Sunday, picking up seven awards including best picture and director for Sam Mendes.

The hit film “Joker” leads the nominations for Sunday’s BAFTA awards but “1917” hotly tipped for best film at the last major prize ceremony before the Oscars.

The thrilling drama, 1917, also honored in the outstanding British film, sound, production design, cinematography and special visual effects categories.

Diversity Row

Britain’s top movie awards have been criticized for having all-white shortlists in its acting categories and an all-male one for director, triggering the use of the hashtag #BaftasSoWhite on social media.

BAFTA boss Amanda Berry had said she was “very disappointed” by the lack of diversity.

Joaquin Phoenix, voted best actor for his critically acclaimed transformation from vulnerable loner into confident villain in Joker.

Renee Zellweger beat Johansson to the best actress gong for her portrayal of Judy Garland in Judy.

The two will go head-to-head again at the Oscars on Feb. 9.

It was a frustrating evening for Netflix’s The Irishman, Martin Scorsese’s star-studded gangster drama, which was nominated in 10 categories but left empty handed.

However, the streaming giant fared better with divorce drama “Marriage Story”, which saw Laura Dern win best supporting actress.

Brad Pitt picked up best supporting actor for Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, the only success for a movie nominated for 10 awards.

Bong Joon Ho’s darkly comic film Parasite triumphed in the original screenplay and film not in the English language categories at the ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Top five

At this year’s British event, the same five movies fill the best film and best director nominations.

Joining “1917” and Mendes are “Joker” (Todd Phillips); South Korean comedy thriller “Parasite” (Bong Joon-ho); “The Irishman” (Martin Scorsese), and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” by Quentin Tarantino.

In the best actor category, Phoenix is up against Leonardo DiCaprio (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”), Adam Driver (“Marriage Story”), Taron Egerton (“Rocketman”) and Jonathan Pryce (“The Two Popes”).

The best actress nominees are Zellweger for her turn as Judy Garland in “Judy”, Scarlett Johansson (“Marriage Story”), Saoirse Ronan (“Little Women”) and Charlize Theron (“Bombshell”).

Tom Hanks, Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Brad Pitt are vying for the best supporting actor BAFTA.

The best supporting actress gong will be disputed between Johansson for the six-times nominated “Jojo Rabbit”, Laura Dern, Florence Pugh and Margot Robbie.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ 73rd annual movie awards could indicate which way the Oscars might go in Los Angeles on February 9.