Will BAFTA Awards Foretell The Oscar Victory For 1917?

The grand rehearsal for Oscars took place last Sunday and Sam Mendes' 1917 celebrated a clean sweep. Will it definitely be mirrored by the Oscars 2020, only five days left to wait and see. Of course, we're talking about BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards, which often serve as a very objective indicator for upcoming Oscar ceremony. Or not.

Seven awards won by 1917, including the major ones for Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Best Director, Cinematography, Production Design, Special Visual Effects and Sound, demonstrates how BAFTA loves and supports British artists. Tarantino was practically left out of competition with only Brad Pitt winning the Best Supporting Actor Award for Once Upon A Time... in Hollywood, as well as Noah Baumbach, honored only by Laura Dern becoming the Best Supporting Actress for Marriage Story. Meanwhile Scorsese's The Irishman was completely cut off of the singled out recognition.

The choice of winner actors and actresses in both leading and supporting roles tends to remain unchanged throughout the major film award ceremonies, so it would be a real surprise, if Oscars decide otherwise. The outstanding performance of Joaquin Phoenix in Joker and Renée Zellweger in Judy together with their already mentioned colleagues in supporting roles makes a perfect quartet, despite a rare double claim by Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story (Leading Actress) and Jojo Rabbit (Supporting Actress).

However, the Best Film category in Oscars has very strong rivals, especially when this year Bong Joon Ho's Parasite has also been included with its relevant placement in the International Film category. If we look back to the last year, BAFTA's Best Film winner - Roma - had to bow to Green Book in Oscars, though Alfonso Cuaron triumphed as the Best Director in both award ceremonies. The Academy voters might also treat The Irishman or Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood differently, as well as the controversial Joker. So heartbreaking WWI drama might not be their first choice.