Baftas 2014: Live on the Red Carpet

in Covent Garden for the glittering night of Britain's film industry and

join Jane Hill on the red carpet at the BAFTAs.

Hello and welcome to the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden for

the annual British Academy film awards. There are many, many

hundreds of members of the public already gathered here today to see

the galaxy of stars who will be arriving on the carpet, some of them

telling me they have been here since Saturday morning, they are so

determined to see the actors, actresses, directors who will be

turning up here in the next few minutes. Entertainment correspondent

Lizo Mzimba is among the huge numbers of press, and the people who

have been queueing up will be well rewarded tonight. Yes, some of the

biggest stars will be here, Leonardo DiCaprio from The Wolf Of Wall

Street, Tom Hanks from Captain Phillips, the entire main cast of

American Hustle, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Christian Bale, Chiwetel

Ejiofor from 12 Years A Slave, along with Benedict Cumberbatch, lots of

screams for him, I bet. And a couple of great British institutions, Dame

Judi Dench and Dame Helen Mirren, who will be getting the highest

accolade, the Fellowship. And you will be talking to many of those, we

will chat to you later. Thank you very much. Lizo touching on some of

the pictures that we are all familiar with, let's just remind

ourselves of those that are in the category of best picture.

V is a slave! Under the circumstances... Under the

circumstances, he is a slaver! I will not fall to despair, I will

offer up my talents! Do not... You must detach! If you do

not, the arm will carry you to far! Listen to my voice, you need to

focus! You need to detach, I cannot see you any more, do it now! I am

trying... Huston, I have lost... You should be nice to the people you

meet on the way up, because you may read them again on the way down. You

of all people should understand that. I am sorry, I am just trying

to help you find your son, that is why we are here. Can I have some

quiet time? Those are the runners and riders for

best picture. I will be discussing all of those in just a moment with

Mark Kermode, who will be with me here on our rather fantastic vantage

point near the entrance to the Royal Opera House this evening. If you are

a regular follower of the BAFTAs, you will know how it goes, periodic

screams as stars arrive. I mentioned at the beginning many hundreds,

probably a thousand members of the public who have turned out here

tonight at the other end of the red carpet down where Lizo is. They are

going to be very well rewarded and already have been, Christoph Waltz

has been signing autographs, he is presenting an award tonight,

similarly Gillian Anderson. We have also seen one of the important

nominees, director Steve McQueen, I spotted him having his photo taken

with people, signing autographs, the director of, of course, of 12 Years

A Slave. And worth reminding you as well, of course, as ever, there is

always a special award at the end of the night, the fellow shop. This

year that is going to Helen Mirren, Dame Helen Mirren, and it will be

presented to her by Prince William, and he is going to be walking up the

red carpet, we are told, as well this evening. It is not the first

time he has been to the ceremony, but we think it is the first time he

has walked up the red carpet. Let's talk to Mark Kermode, film critic

for the Observer, hello, here we are again, another year, a lot of films

inspired by true stories in the nominations this year, let's talk

about best film. Being very personal, I know you and I both

loved 12 Years A Slave. Yes. Difficult but extraordinary. The

great triumph of 12 Years A Slave is that it tells a challenging story, a

true story, based on the memoir of Solomon Northrup who was indeed

kidnapped and sold into slavery, and yet despite the difficult nature of

it, it has done very well with audiences, not just critics. I was

talking to the cinematographer, and he said they are very proud that it

demonstrates that if you give audiences slightly more challenging

material, they will accept it. 12 Years A Slave would be my choice for

best picture. I think it is an extraordinary work, director Steve

McQueen has done a bully and job. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a wonderful

performance. We have seen them do comedy, science fiction, action

adventure. But this was his finest work. And Lupita Nyong'o, a total

newcomer, is nominated for supporting actress and also for the

EE rising star, two nominations for her, and I hope she wins something

tonight. Ray Winston arriving, signing autographs, also Juliet

Stevenson, who is presenting an award this evening as well. American

Hustle has done very well in terms of nominations, very when at the

Oscar-nominated is as well, which are to come in March. -- very well.

It was not my favourite film, some cracking performances, and yet a

very curious confection, I found. I did not really like anyone in it. My

feeling about American Hustle is that it is all about the hair. I do

not mean that as a criticism, it is about people pretending to be other

people, and it starts with an elaborate scene in which Christian

Bale is doing this great comb-over, his extraordinary hairstyle. Amy

Adams as this great big bouffant. She has got good hair. But is there

anything underneath the hair? I have heard some critics saying that it is

meant to be about services, so that is what it is. -- surfaces. It has

the least going on underneath the surface of any of the nominations.

But there is a reason for it being about the cosmetics. I do not think

it is the strongest best film contender. The rising star

category, we can talk about that later, because you have some

involvement in that, an interesting one to watch. We may be able to hear

about that later. Captain Phillips, directed by Paul Greengrass, based

on a true story. I did not expect to like it, but it was gripping and

extraordinarily well made. I am a huge fan of Paul Greengrass, he has

a real talent for taking true stories and dramatising them in a

way which makes you think, I watching a documentary or the real

thing? The obviously has a background in news footage anyway,

and what he does is put you right there on the ship. Incidentally, Tom

Hanks, it is the best he has ever done. We cannot give away the ending

of the film, many people have said the last few scenes, some of the

best quirky as ever done. He is really terrific. And the leader of

the Somali pirates in the film, a supporting actor contender, his work

is terrific. But behind it all is director Paul Greengrass, somebody

who has directed this style, and he knows how to make a film reel. And

he has got the claustrophobic, the absolute terror of this enormous

freight ship taken over by four men in a fairly useless shipping boat.

And you are terrified for the crew. Yes, and what he says is that once

the pirates come on board, it is a tale of two captains, him and the

pirates, and it is a film about globalism. It is about the fact that

you have a rich nation with this great big ship full of cargo, and

then you have these very, very poor Somalis, who are driven to piracy by

their own economic conditions. Paul Greengrass takes care to make sure

that you know why it is that they are doing what they are doing, they

are not just 2-dimensional sketches but fully formed characters.

Gravity, now, the most nominations, I know it is not always about the

numbers, it does not always pan out that way, and Brits should be proud

of it hit is a fantastic technical achievement and largely done in

Britain. It is a fantastic technical achievement and a British technical

achievement. The live footage was shot here, and the extraordinary

effects work by the wizards at Framestore, it is testament to the

genius of British VFX technicians. It is the first time I have seen a

3D film where I thought, OK, that deserves to be stereoscopic, it

actually looks better in 3D than it would have into D. I know a couple

of people have said, is it really a British film? Did you think it was

filmed in space? It is a film which relies on British artistry and

technicians. Yes, it has Hollywood stars, but the real genius behind

the film is home grown, so it is great that it is being recognised at

the BAFTAs, nominated so strongly. As you say, numerically, it has the

most nominations. Let's talk about the final film on the list,

Philomena, also up for best British film, very British, Dame Judi Dench

is expected here tonight, as is the goog. A beautiful tale well told,

but a really heartbreaking story. It is, what is interesting about that

film is its takes liberties with the truth, but it does it in a way which

get away with it. It's two central characters are on a World Cup that

never happened, but they have taken the truth of it and, Thais did in a

way that works. -- on a road trip. It tells a very difficult story with

two great performances. Steve Coogan should not be overlooked. The work

he does in it, people imagine they know what he should be like on

screen, and you see a very different side to him in this. He does really

well. It takes just about the right liberties with the truth. It knows

how to make it into a dramatic feature. OK, let's remind ourselves

of the best actor category, Mark touching on a couple of really

remarkable performances already, let's remind ourselves of those in

the running here tonight. You told the sheriff you were

walking to Nebraska. Yes, to get my $1 million. This is Woody Grand. We

are authorised to pay $1 million... You did not win anything! It is a

scam, you have got to stop this. I am running out of time.

Now you tell me all is lost? Del no-one who I am, that is the way to

survive? -- tell. Well, I don't want to survive. I want to live.

You will never do it properly because you have too much attitude

to be small and slick. You have to be a conman, in and out. I am there

the whole time but you do not know it. That is the art of being someone

people can pin beliefs and Green Zone. How much do you make? 72,000

last month. I am serious. I am serious, how much money do you make?

I told you, 70,000, technically 72,000. If the pirates find you, you

know the ship, they don't. They can feel like they are in charge, but

keep them away from the generator and the engine controls.

Stick together. And we will be all right.

Can we take a live shot? So ending on Captain Phillips there,

interesting, because at the other end of the red carpet I can see

Barkhad Abdi, who plays the leader of the Somali pirate gang, signing

an awful lot of autographs. We have spotted Mark gaiters as well of

Sherlock Waem, among many other things. He was very much in demand

for autographs. I mentioned that a lot of people had been years since

Saturday morning. -- Fame. There were lots and lots of Sherlock

posters, I think he will be in demand. Lizo has someone very

special with him. Thank you very much, the director of 12 Years A

Slave, Steve McQueen, this film has pondered the strongest emotional

reaction of any of the movies nominated tonight. Yeah, I am happy

for it! The response has been amazing in the cinemas. It's been a

wonderful experience, really. It's something I've been working on

really and with since September, so I'm grateful for the audience, it's

great for the public. It is the film people expect to do particularly

well tonight. Does that make you more nervous? It's not a

competition, it's a celebration. Once you have been nominated, you

have one. What does Chiwetel Ejiofor bring to a question about why were

you so keen to get him involved? He had a stature and dignity that is

inherent. He is like Sidney Poitier, there is a certain stature. I needed

a character who was in a world that was inhumane. Why has it taken a

British director to tell a piece of American history? It's not just

American history, its world history. Britain was involved in the slave

trade, so was France, Portugal, Spain, so it is a world industry.

This is one of the many stories, I hope, will be told. Did you ever

expected to be this well-received, not just by audiences and critics,

but by award givers? The Oscars in two weeks time. That was never on my

mind. I wanted to make the best form I could possibly make, and to have

this kind of response, I'm grateful. Steve McQueen, thank you for your

time. Steve McQueen, nominated as best director for 12 Years A Slave.

Let's remind ourselves and take a look at the best actress category.

Again, some strong performances, and maybe one standing out. Let's remind

ourselves who is up for that. We got the bureau to give this $2

million for three days. You mean you and him? Yes, we did. She showed me.

You showed him? You did that without me? What are you going to do?

I was forced to take a job selling shoes on Madison Avenue. So

humiliating. Friends from dinner parties came in and I had to wait on

them. Have you any idea what that is like? One minute you are hosting,

and the next minute you are measuring their shoe size and

fitting them. This is PL Travers, the creator of the bill of the

beloved Mary. Mary Poppins. Never, ever just Mary. A pleasure to meet

you. Although we shan't be acquainted along, because these

books simply do not lend themselves to chirping and prancing. Certainly

not a musical. I'm getting scared now we're getting closer. All these

years wondering whether Anthony was in trouble, or prison. I could

always tell myself he was happy somewhere and everything would be

all right, but what if he died in Vietnam, or came back with no legs,

or lived on the street? Houston, this is Ryan Stone, I am drifting.

Do you copy? Anyone? So those are the nominations for

best actress. Worth pointing out, well, I was about to say, look out

for the man in the red baseball cap. But he's just moved out of the

frame. That is Ron Howard, and he is alongside Nicki Lauda, wearing the

red baseball cap. All of that is in relation to a film in the best

British film category, which is Rush, about the competition in the

1970s between Lauda and James Hunt. We've not had a chance to go through

the best British film category in detail, but rest assured, I hope we

will. While we look at these pictures, just a return to the

category of Best actress, Cate Blanchett, we expect to see her on

the red carpet tonight. Is it fair to say it will be quite a shock if

she doesn't win it? It's funny, because she has been tipped as the

leading contender in the category for a long time, ever since it came

out, and whatever you think about the film, the performance is

impeccable. I have to say I have a great fondness for Emma Thompson's

work, she was brilliant as PL Travers. Obviously there is every

possibility Dame Judi Dench might sneak it, but my feeling is that

Cate Blanchett is just ahead of the pack. It's understandable. She

really, really carries the film. Emma Thompson's work in Saving Mr

Banks is very clever because she makes the character chippy and

difficult, yet not wholly unsympathetic. You see all the way

through the film how much she annoyed the Walt Disney bosses, and

Walt Disney himself. How difficult she was to work with. I think Mary

Poppins is one of the best film ever made, but she famously didn't like

the movie and refuse to have anything else done to it. So Emma

Thompson managed to get the right balance between being very difficult

but also understandable. Did I read somewhere that she thought it was

the best film part she had ever been offered in terms of meat -- a

movie? I think it's her finest performance. She steps up to the

challenge. Can I say quickly, we were talking about Rush, the

interesting thing is is it was directed by Ron Howard, and Paul

Green grass was going to direct that, and they swap projects in

midstream, which is why you have a movie that perhaps you wonder why

Ron Howard is doing Rush, but they swapped movies. Willingly? Yes, and

as it happens, completely coincidentally. Cate Blanchett is

being mentioned for her role in Blue Jasmine. Sally Hawkins just

arriving, as we talk about Best supporting actress. There is one of

the women of the moment, an extraordinary performance by

somebody who is 30 years old, but this is her first film performance.

She has two nominations, for best supporting actress for 12 Years A

Slave, and also for the rising Star award, which is usually a nomination

for somebody who already has a number of films under their belt.

There's been a couple of occasions for a first performance, but she

goes into that with two nominations tonight, both richly deserve.

Anybody who has seen 12 Years A Slave all know how well she does the

role. It's a really difficult role, really central to the drama. And she

is fabulous. Steve McQueen said working with her was a dream. It was

a hard parts to cast, but he really struck gold with Blue Peter neon go.

She is wonderful in the film. -- Lupita Nyong'o. We were talking

about Sally Hawkins who is also in Blue Jasmine.

She is up against Jennifer Lawrence, America's darling at the moment. One

of the most popular actresses. It's a bit like Benedict Cumberbatch has

to be in everything. In America, Jennifer Lawrence has to be in

everything, but she is fantastic in American Hustle. In the case of

American Hustle, there are four very strong performances. Whatever you

think about the film, the central performances are really, really

strong. I think the film itself has certain weaknesses, but none of

those weaknesses are to do with the performances themselves. It is a

film in which it is really blessed with a great cast. I just wanted the

film itself to have more depth. Julia Roberts is nominated, for

August Osage County. And Oprah Winfrey for the Butler. It is a

composite story based on a true story but it takes liberties with

it. What she does is she plays the wife of the central character, and

it's through her that the audience really sympathises with his journey

on screen. I think she does brilliantly, and she deserves a

nomination. We will just go back to Lizo, as he has the man opening the

show. You're going to be opening the show with a performance of Heroes?

It's one of the biggest sellers today. It is so important to British

culture as well. I've never done anything like this before. I've done

loads of awards shows, fashion shows, but nothing as prestigious as

this. I'm literally going to be staring out at some of my heroes,

Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo Di Caprio, I don't know how I will concentrate.

It will be great. How nerve wracking with it be before you go on air?

It's already bad enough, it was already at ten, but now it's 10.5.

Wander the BAFTAs mean to you as somebody who grew up watching them?

-- what do the BAFTAs? It's just an incredible celebration of the

British TV and movie industry. So many great films out, especially the

British people, like 12 Years A Slave, Captain Phillips, so many

amazing films, and this is the time to celebrate it over here. It's such

a great honour to be here. Thanks, I know you all give a great

performance as always. Go and get ready. Tinie Tempah, always

fantastic and opening the show here at the Royal Opera house. The

decibel levels are rising. An awful lot of excitement on the red carpet.

A huge number of stars arriving here already, and many more to come will

stop and a reminder that the BAFTAs Fellowship is going to Dame Helen

Mirren tonight -- many more to come. Barkhad Abdi, nominated for Captain

Phillips, Best supporting actor. How does it feel? You've had an amazing

story going from not being an actor towards this amazing nominated role?

It feels great to be here. I'm really honoured, and I've had all

these nominations, and it's a life changing experience. I'm happy to be

here. The BAFTAs are looking great. As Tom Hanks giving you any tips as

he's been to so many awards ceremonies, but this is your first?

-- has Tom Hanks? He gave me a lot of advice. He's a really great man.

I love working with him. How much fun was it, that might not be the

word, but how was it playing this part? It seems to be something you

could dig beneath the layers of. He was not just a superficial bad guy.

I had a lot of fun. It was more fun each day, when you understand the

character more in depth, and you're telling his story. It was a lot of

fun and good times, and I enjoyed working with Tom Hanks as well as

Paul Greengrass. They helped me a lot to get the part out, and what

ever obstacle I had, we found a way to get over. It was great. Barkhad

Abdi, thanks very much for talking to us. That is excellent, because it

allows us to have a chat about the category he is in, because it is a

strong one. Let's remind ourselves. Barkhad Abdi nominated for his

performance along side Captain Phillips. Daniel Bruhl has been on

the red carpet. But Michael Fassbender, my goodness, he's done a

lot of work with Steve McQueen, but he was terrifying as a plantation

owning 12 Years A Slave. He tells an interesting story about doing the

role, saying no matter how terrifying or evil character is, you

have to find a way in. He said as far as he was concerned, his

character was in love with Patsy, the character played by Lupita, who

he torments so terribly. Michael Fassbender didn't want to play him

as just somebody 2-dimensional ee foul and wicked, you had to

understand where it came from. I think he's an extraordinarily

intuitive and forceful actor. When you have him and Chiwetel Ejiofor on

screen, you see some of the best acting talent in the world together

on screen. I think what Steve McQueen has always strived to do

with his films is to look beyond the obvious, to get each of the

characters to dig a bit deeper. And it says something about how good he

is as a director that he can get these kind of performances out of

his cast. I don't need to tell you who it is, but Leonardo Di Caprio

arriving. He is very, very commanding in The Wolf of Wall

Street. We will stay with the pictures of him. I guess he will be

signing quite a lot of autographs. Going back to Barkhad Abdi, despite

my feeling that Michael Fassbender might take it, for what it's worth,

Barkhad Abdi is very strong in a very difficult part, and some very

difficult, tense scenes in the film. I would not put him out of the

running at all. There is a good story that Paul Greengrass tells,

but when you first see Barkhad Abdi's character on the bridge, that

is the first time he had met Tom Hanks, juicy and actor, a complete

newcomer, holding his own against the a seasoned performer -- you see

an actor. We were talking about Rush earlier. We are with Ron Howard. I'm

grateful foreign exchange student here. I got in with my Visa, and

it's a huge honour. Why did you want to do this movie? Wasn't Paul Green

grass going to do it? He opted out, but I knew about the story, and I

said it would be fascinating, but I said, you're American, you don't

know anything about the culture. I said, those characters are

fascinating. I love the drama of sports and what it can yield, and I

felt as directed there was a chance to do something really original and

combining that visceral action with these complicated characters, so I

jumped into it. I guess it is a rivalry that is not really known

outside the UK that much. It really isn't, but it's rich and

interesting. Familia in some ways, but highly unexpected in others, and

that is why people really like the movie when they see it. I was

surprised when I read the screenplay about the complexity and the way it

entertained and what it revealed, and I think audiences feel that way

about it when they see it. The performance is very much acclaimed,

Daniel Bruehl is up for best supporting actor. It is a very

challenging character, because Lauda is difficult, you like in one

moment, then he is prickly. What he has to endure, the range of his

experience, it is riveting and dramatic stuff to play, and Daniel

made the most of it. Have a great evening. Thanks a lot!

And Chiwetel Ejiofor working his way slowly up the red carpet, signing an

awful lot of autographs. Lots and lots of people want their photograph

taken with him, he looks very obliging, a very strong performance

in Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave. And another member involved in the

British film, Rush, back to Lizo. Daniel Bruehl plays Niki Lauda, up

for best supporting actor. Did you know much about the rivalry between

these two drivers? I was born in 1978, and I grew up in Cologne, not

far away from the racetrack where Niki Lauda had his accident. But I

did not know much about the rivalry between him and James Hunt, so

reading the script, I was fascinated, and I felt Peter Morgan

had added so many things to make an exciting movie. So I think it is one

of the most thrilling and exciting rivalries in sports history ever.

How easy was it to portray this human drama for these two great

racing drivers? Well, pretty intense, because we don't have that

much in common, so I felt that responsibility weighing on my

shoulders, because he is a living legend, and he is still around,

everyone in Germany and Austria knows him. It was tough to get

there, but fortunately I got all the support from Niki himself, and we

talked about intimate and sensitive stub. You cannot take for granted

that a real person is willing to talk about all of this, you know,

vanity and beer and death and all of that, but he did, and it is so nice

that he was happy and proud with the result of the film. Thank you very

much for that time, Daniel, have a wonderful evening, best of luck.

Rush is nominated as best British film against Gravity and Philomena.

We were endeavouring to talk about the best director, Alfonso Cuaron

arrived a few moments ago, what you think of the category? Talk me

through the trickiness of some of the nominations here. Well, I think

it is always difficult prejudging any awards, but in terms of the

director, it is really tough this year. Steve McQueen for 12 Years A

Slave, I think the work he does is extraordinary, it is the best film

he has made, the best film of the. American Hustle, David O Russell,

very stylishly directed, a lot of attention on the visuals. I think it

is a little bit surfacey. But we are seeing 12 Years A Slave, Steve

McQueen tells a very difficult story in a way that is accessible to a

mainstream audience but does not state the edges of it. This is

American Hustle, as you said, it is very blingy, it is all to do with

the way it looks. But in that category Alfonso Cuaron is the real

contender. I think it is him and Steve McQueen who have got the title

fight there. The thing with Alfonso Cuaron's work on Gravity, regardless

whether you love the film or not, you would be hard pressed to say it

is not brilliant light directed. I think that sometimes, when people

are judging this category, they may lean towards Gravity because it

looks so much like a directorial work. Perhaps when you look at 12

Years A Slave, you look at performances and story. But when you

look at Gravity, it looks like the work of a director using the cinema

screen as a painted canvas, redefining the boundaries of

experiential cinema. I think therefore he might have the edge.

However, these are the British film Academy Awards, we are on home

ground, so it could be Steve McQueen. I will understand if

Alfonso Cuaron sneaks it. Back to Lizo. The film everyone is talking

about is 12 Years A Slave, one of its guises Lupita Nyong'o, up for

best supporting actress. -- one of its stars, who beat in Yangon. How

was it to play? It was very exciting, so challenging and

rewarding to have that kind of opportunity to bring back to life

such an important woman and to tell her story. Have you been surprised

by the reaction of people to a story that many people did not know about?

I would not say surprise, it is up rising how big it has gotten, but I

feel more relieved that it has got this kind of reception, because when

I read the story, it touched me, so to see other people you'll being

moved in the same way is a relief. You have had an amazing awards

season, what has it been like. I did not even know and awards season

existed! It has been a major... It has been amazing, it has been

surprising every step of the way, and I feel really blessed. I know I

am in a very fortunate position, and I am just embracing this

opportunity. Have a great evening, best of luck. Thank you.

Oh, lots of people cheering for her, I think we are crossing fingers she

will walk away with something. I really think she will, deservedly

so. Best foreign film, we have not had a chance to touch on that. I am

not familiar with all of them, I do virtue your superior knowledge. The

category is film not in the English language.

The two really interesting things, Blue Is The Warmest Colour is not

nominated at the Oscars because it opened in its own country too late

to qualify, despite the fact that it had won the Palm door. He gave the

award not only to the director but the two leading actresses, which is

unprecedented. We are just pointing at one of our other screens because

I can see Amy Adams arriving for American Hustle, over to Lizo. One

of the other films being talked about is Gravity, Alfonso Cuaron,

director and writer! This film, an incredible technical achievement to

get it done, did you realise that you might be able to do everything

you managed on the screen at the time? Well, when I first started, I

thought it was going to be a simple task, you know. It was a big

miscalculation! I thought it was going to be something really simple

to make. As we start the process, we realised we had to invent new

technology to make it happen. Was it a difficult process? It was

difficult for everyone around me! Everybody, all the artists around

me, they were just trying to convey the thematic and emotional value of

the story, so that was the task at hand. Nobody was trying to create

new technology, everybody was just trying to achieve the emotional

journey. There has been a bit of a backlash against 3D, but Gravity has

made people say, this is all about 3D technology, you have to see it in

3D. How does that make you feel? Well, the thing is that 3D is an

amazing medium, but it is being used almost as a commercial feature. When

it is used properly, and you could see that in Hugo or Avatar or life

of pi, it is absolutely beautiful, and immersive. Thanks very much,

have a great evening. Thank you so much. Alfonso Cuaron nominated for

best director and much else the size, as he was making quite clear

to Lizo. Mark, talking about the best foreign-language film, let's

see whether we can return to that. So many people arriving, very

quickly, in the film not in the English language category, The Act

Of Killing, an extraordinary documentary. Blue Is The Warmest

Colour, a French film not nominated at the Oscars because it was

released to late in its own country. The Great Beauty, many people's film

of the year. Metro Manila, a very edgy thriller, very well shot.

Wadjda, an extraordinary piece of work, the story of a young girl.

Martinsville says he, director of The Wolf Of Wall Street, we have

already seen its star, Leonardo DiCaprio. -- Martin Scorsese. The

three hours with bike, hugely entertaining, but no film needs to

be three hours, surely! -- whizzed by. I do not think it is is best

work, by any means. My own feeling was that it was rather too long and

rather too rumbly and indulgent. However, of the problem that possess

the film, of which there are many, Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is

not one of them. He is at the top of his game in that movie, playing an

absolutely loathsome character, a person you are not meant to

sympathise with. I think you need to empathise with him, and I did not at

all, and that was a problem for me. But Leonardo DiCaprio throws and

salt into the role. You will have heard the stories that Martin

Scorsese struggled to get it down to three hours. Really, if 2001 is two

and a half hours long, not think needs to be three hours long,

really! No! Jonah Hill, I do not think he is nominated here, but he

is at the Oscars, he was a very good foil. Leonardo DiCaprio, and

absolutely commanding performance, but he works off Jonah Hill

extraordinarily well. As I say that, Tom Hanks is arriving, and I think

you said... I think it is his best work, Captain Phillips, the best

work he has done on screen. His performance is fully rounded,

three-dimensional, you completely believe in him as an everyman, which

he has to be in order for the story to work. His scenes with Barkhad

Abdi are terrific. Paul Greengrass get something completely unexpected

out of him at the end of the film, I don't want to give the under way.

The work he does in that film, particularly in the final reel...

The final scenes are extraordinary. He has been fated with awards around

the world, Barkhad Abdi is holding his own with Tom Hanks. I think it

is a really challenging role, and he does it wonderfully. It is great to

see, you know, great to see him doing that kind of work. As we stay

with these pictures of Tom Hanks, people chanting, Tom, Tom I think.

We can go back to entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba. The

producer of Gravity, we just had Alfonso Cuaron a few minutes ago, he

was telling me what a challenge it was to get the technology made. How

long did it take? Well, it took around four and a half years to get

the film made. There was only 60 days of shooting, but it was a long

period to actually figure out the technology, how to make it, and

persuade people should made. It has been really well loved by

audiences, as well as at award shows. Of course, it is a wonderful

immersive experience, and I think... Leonardo! Leonardo must be

here! Leo! Leo! And immersive experience, so it is something that

has to be seen in the cinema, which is great. It is about at adversity

and rebirth, and we have all experienced that. Thanks very much

for your time. OK, we have just reached the point

in the evening where we cannot hear ourselves think or speak or very

much else. Leonardo DiCaprio, I think that is who everyone was

screaming for. They were screaming for Tom Hanks as well. We train our

necks around to the far end of the red carpet, where Lizo was based,

and it is fascinating trying to work out who is coming up next based

broadly on the decibel level. The chanting you heard, Leo, Leo, Leo, I

thought it was a tribute to deck the's Midnight Runners. Showing your

age, Mark! Gravity leading the way with 11 nominations, a lot of people

involved in that film tonight. As promised, we did mention the rising

Star award, something you have an association with. We talked about

Lupita Nyong'o, but other interesting names. One of the

interesting things about the award, voted for by the public, we have

been talking about Chiwetel Ejiofor, one of the first nominees in the

first year of this award. This year we have George McCartney, there was

a week in which he had three films opening in the same week. -- George

McKay. Lupita Nyong'o, obviously, who I think has the edge because she

has also been needed for supporting actress. Would you like to... Harvey

Weinstein, the mega- producer, just arriving. Not everybody would know

who he is, but he's a producer who has more success at awards

ceremonies than almost anyone else. He is an extraordinary campaign for

awards. If you want your film to win awards, get Harvey Weinstein behind

it! Bradley Cooper as well. The most likeable character in American

Hustle, that is a fairly low bar! But he was pretty good in it, I

thought, and he has worked with David O Russell, the director, a

lot, both of them up for awards. I'm trying to work out to be as hugging

there. Is it Michael Fassbender? I think it is. I am told it is,

someone in my year with bad eyesight is telling me it is Michael

Fassbender. -- with better eyesight. A very strong contender in the

supporting actor category. And Emma Thompson just arriving. This is the

person you would really love to take the best actress category. She is a

too rhythmically talented actress and also a writer. What she does is

bring that character to life. -- a terrifically talented actress.

This film has had such an emotional reaction. What was it like for you

to play? It was an extraordinary experience from start to finish. An

amazing autobiography and an opportunity to work with Steve

McQueen whose films I had seen and loved. It was an amazing jump off

point. And a really incredible cast who was so dedicated to telling the

story. It was a remarkable experience. And then getting the

film out there and the reaction to the film has been incredible. And

you have a strong connection with Baxter -- BAFTA, you have one at the

Rising Star award and now you are back here. Yes, I'm proud of that

connection and we will see what happens. But it is great to be a

part of this celebration of film. There are some great films this year

and just to be in the mix of that is a bit. Why do you think this

particular slice of American history or world history has gone unnoticed

by the public for so long? Well, you tend to suspect it is one of those

things that people don't necessarily want to look at all the time, yet it

is such an important part of where we are and how we got here, which is

why it is such a valuable piece of work. The autobiography, like any

person's first narrative, should be recognised as an important

historical document. I'm glad there was this opportunity to get that

back out there. A pleasure speaking to you. Have a great evening.

He is delightful and it was interesting that you were reflecting

on his Rising Star award. We're just looking at Cate Blanchett arriving.

I think she is the person most highly tipped to take best actress

for her extraordinary portrayal. I would love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor

take the award. I saw him in a play a few years ago and even then he

stood out. I thought, who is this fantastic actor? It shines through

in that film wastage appeals so bleak. He carries it with such

dignity. -- where his future appears. And in between Euston

comedy, action, gritty urban dramas. He has demonstrated how he is. Every

style, he looks completely at home. When he was first offered the role,

he initially turned it down. Yet to be convinced by Steve McQueen to do

it. I asked why any said, it was just a role of such import. Such a

wait to take on that challenge. -- why and he said.

Leonardo DiCaprio is nominated for best actor. Our work -- how hard was

it getting into the skin of this obsessive, arrogant actor? I think

Martin Scorcese builders set in a way that it was very chaotic. --

built us a set. We were in courage to get into the most hedonistic

headset possible. -- encouraged. Does this kind of adulation happen

every time you hit the red carpet? No, it doesn't. But I think this

film has struck a chord. I'm very proud of it. Ever since 2008 I

wanted to make this film is a reaction to what happened in our

financial institutions, and people see this world of excess around them

and they reacted to it quite well. It is a film that takes a lot of

risks as well and I think people appreciate that. You've had two

previous nominations, both Martin Scorcese movies. What is it about

his movies that bring this out in new? Look, it is very simple. I just

wanted to be able to work with him once. I'm so fortunate it has been

five films down. The learning curve is just immense, it is almost... It

is difficult to put into words how much I've accumulated, knowledge

wise, from being able to work with him. He is still so vital at this

age. He is still making punk rock movies. This guy really has his

finger on the pulse of our culture. He is the heartbeat of American

cinema in a lot of ways. We will let you go, have a fun evening.

He was asked whether he got this reception a lot and he said he

didn't. I'm not sure I believe that. I have to say, this crowd is one of

the most excitable. It tells you something about just how dominant

the Baptist have become. -- the BAFTAs. We feel quite safe from our

vantage point up here. Dame Helen Mirren will be awarded the

Fellowship tonight and will be presented that award by Prince

William. In terms of Leonardo DiCaprio, Steve Coogan co-wrote

Philomena and stars in it alongside Judi Dench... I'm going to hold that

thought. Yes, I'm with David O Russell, the

writer and director of American Hustle. People have been loving it.

Well, we jumped into it right off the back of the film before. This is

why we make movies, because we get very inspired over here. When we

were here last year we were putting together the cast, so it is a great

honour to be back here and it means the world to us, to be honest with

you. It encourages us. All four of the main cast are nominated, you

must have every Hollywood and British actor and actress desperate

to work with you. Well, you still have to work hard. You are only one

movie away from failing at any time. I love to write for each actor, to

create a roll and get them to take the risk. Christian bale as you've

never seen him before. -- Bale. Mark, what do you think? Christian

Bale really transforms himself for every role but right at the

beginning of this movie we see him putting on his hair with appliances

and blue. In a way, it establishes what you need to know about his

character. -- and glue. And of course Christian Bale is known for

immersing himself in a roll. Some actors would have been too vain to

do that opening scene, but not him. A man who needs no introduction. You

are a triple nominee, Best adapted screenplay, Best film and

Outstanding British Film. And Dame Judi is up for best actress. Are you

surprised by how well Philomena has gone down? Yes, the scale of it. We

knew it was a good film but we didn't think it would get this

traction. It is doing well in America and that was something it --

we never anticipated. We thought it would be a good film, but not this

commercially successful. It's great. You must be delighted to see BAFTA

honouring it like this. Yes, British films never get the budgets of

American films. But we had really classy people involved, world-class

people making the film. They weren't greedy about money, so we got it

made. What is it like working with Dame Judi Dench? It's funny, I look

at the poster and I go, wow, I made a film with Judi Dench! She is very

down to earth, not pressures. Really wonderful company. I sort of went on

my own little road trip with her. -- not precious.

And there is Bruce Dern. I have not seen his performance but you really

rated it. I think he is one of the greatest actors of our generation.

He played villains for a lot of his films and in Nebraska he plays a

part which is tender and somehow vulnerable. I think he does it

brilliantly. He became toast of the town when it played at the film

festival. How great is it that someone with this history has been

recognised around the world for Nebraska? It is a funny, insightful

movie, absolutely held together by Bruce Dern. I am completely

starstruck by him. Great to see him here and it looked like he was

signing autographs. Mark, we have to let you go because you are a member

of BAFTA. Before you leave us, I have to ask for your predictions.

Well, it is foolish to do it. Best film, 12 Years A Slave. Best actor,

duet eligible. Best actress, I'm still Kate Blanchett. -- Cate. Thank

you very much indeed for being with us as we continue to be drowned out

here. I'm with Michael Fassbender, one of

the stars of 12 Years A Slave. What was it like to make this harrowing,

intense movie? There was a lot of responsibility that I felt, just

because of the subject matter. When I got the script of Steve I'd never

heard of Solomon before. -- off Steve. As soon as I read the script

I knew it was going to be an important piece. You have a long and

successful working relationship with Steve McQueen. Yes, he is an artist.

He has a great understanding of people, use a great leader onset. --

he is a great leader on set. He allows you space to explore things

and fail and that's OK. It's always a challenging experience. As an

actor, how much responsibility do you feel playing a part like this? A

lot. There is a lot of responsibility because it is real

history and a real hero. Every time I was doing my homework I kept that

in mind. That was Michael Fassbender. This is

Christian Bale. He has been going for some time. A Lord of the very

big stars are often very generous with their time here at the BAFTAs.

People are often asking if they can have their photograph taken with

them. Christian Bale is one of the lead actors in American Hustle. Amy

Adams is his co-star. She appears to be in every American film at the

moment. She is the darling of American cinema along with Jennifer

Lawrence. Another very strong performance from Amy Adams. She is

nominated alongside Kate Blanchette or Blue Jasmine. We will find out in

the next couple of hours. Christian Bale is up against Chiwetel Ejiofor

in 12 Years A Slave. We can see Paul Greengrass who is the director of

Captain Phillips. That is the story of an American ship which was

ordered by pirates from Somalia. That was a true story. An

extraordinarily tense film to watch. It is extremely well made. Very good

performances from all of the cast. Mark Kermode rates Paul Greengrass

very highly indeed. We are usually by this stage in the evening

somewhat deafened by all of the noise. As Leonardo DiCaprio went

behind us on the red carpet, a few of us lost part of an eardrum! There

was a huge amount of screaming for him. He plays the lead role in the

film by Martin Scorsese the wealth of Wall Street. -- the wealth of

Wall Street. Ron Howard, the director, posing for photographs.

That is very close to the entrance of the Royal Opera House. Everyone

is going inside to prepare for the ceremony. We can go back to Lizo

Mzimba. I am joined by Bradley Cooper! It was a fallen film to

make? It was a lot of work. It was a beautiful script. I am stunned by

your star quality! It was an amazing experience. I was very excited about

working with Christian Bale. I am at huge fan of his and to be able to

work with him, it was amazing. It must have been fun to work with

Jennifer Lawrence again. We did not have any scenes together, so it was

mainly with Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. People talked about that

amazing here you had. Yes, the curly hair. What was it like to be working

with David O Russell? It is rare that you get to work with the people

you love and with friends. But he is a great director and a writer. I

love that we happened to be working together and we had such a great

bond and we could bring that to light. The BAFTAs matter the

Americans? Yes, Steve Coogan and Michael Fassbender, it is absolutely

awesome. Thank you. Radley Cooper. And here are two

people that I do not need to name. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Given

that we are looking at the back of his head, I better mention here he

is. He plays a sympathetic character in 12 Years A Slave. He was one of

the producers of that film. Money came from an awful lot of different

sources to make that movie. He was one of the producers. We were

talking about being drowned out by the screams were Leonardo DiCaprio.

It will not come as a surprise that the same is happening now for Brad

Pitt. -- the screams for Leonardo DiCaprio. Brad Pitt is playing one

of the few sympathetic white characters in 12 Years A Slave that.

He listens to the story of Soloman Northup. He believes him when he

explains that he used to be a free man and that he was kidnapped and

taken into slavery. It is with the assistance of his character that he

finally, after 12 years, he is returned to his family and freedom.

There he is with his wife. They are signing autographs. All of the

camera flashes going off. He is not nominated for his role in that film.

But he is here in his role as the producer of the film. Lizo Mzimba

was talking to Bradley Cooper. Bradley Cooper is nominated for his

performance in American Hustle. Just to explain, Bradley Cooper has quite

a poem in that film. It is quite something. We can go back to Lizo

Mzimba. I am with someone who needs no introduction. Jane Judi Dench,

your record 50th bass -- BAFTA nomination. How does that feel.

Until you said, did not know. But thank you for reminding me. You have

an incredible career. What has it meant to you as an actress? It means

I have in going on for a very long time. I am absolutely appalled at

how old is she be. I am so thrilled. Of course the role as Philomena, it

was an incredible story. She will be here in a minute. The real thing.

What was it like playing her on-screen. Do you feel an enormous

responsibility? Of course you do. When it is someone who is alive and

breathing and standing beside you, I was nervous. But it was absolutely

wonderful to meet her and to get to know her. What was it like working

with Steve Coogan? He is just something else. He fell into

everything very, very easily. The straight acting and stand-up acting,

put me in a room with a lot of people and ask me to tell a joke and

I would just die. Thank you so much for talking to us. Enjoy the show.

Damon Judi Dench. Will she take the Best Actress category? -- Dane Judi

Dench. Thinking about Judi Dench, so many lovely stories told about her

performance. She is very open about having difficulties with her

eyesight. So many people who worked on the film telling stories about

how every single day, she turned up on set absolutely WordPerfect, never

ever letting any of her slight difficulties get in the way of her

professionalism as an actress. Everyone speaks with enormous

affection about her role in that film. Steve Coogan had the idea for

making that film. It was a book written by Martin sixsmith. It was a

newspaper article about that book and then Steve Coogan read that

article, he thought it sounded like it would make a good film and it

did. Tonight it is nominated in a BAFTA category. It is nominated

alongside Gravity and a number of others. Let's go back to Lizo

Mzimba. Thank you. I am joined by Dame Helen Mirren. I do. Isn't that

great? It is a great way to come to an awards ceremony. Knowing that you

are not going to win and knowing that you are going to win and that

is fantastic! Tonight is the only night I have ever done that. What

went through your head when they said they were giving you the

ultimate accolade? I said, all my goodness, am I that grown-up? I was

very, very pleased and flattered. I was absolutely thrilled and

honoured. I take it very, very seriously. Especially in this world,

the world of cinema. I started off working in the theatre. To be

recognised for a lifetime of work in film, that is incredible. People

have been talking up out your comments in the last 24 hours. I did

not ring that up but it was in response to a question. -- I did not

bring that up. I think, I honestly do not know enough because I have

not watched another television recently to know what the issue is.

Finally, have you met the Duke of Cambridge? Nope. I have not met him

before so that will be wonderful. What will it be like meeting him? I

did not completely blew it when I played his grandmother! I could not

hear Dame Helen Mirren because everyone was screaming for Brad

Pitt. I guess that even Dame Helen Mirren will understand that. We can

see them at Thomson and her husband Greg Wise before they go into the

opera house. She is nominated for Best Actress in Saving Mr. Banks.

There is Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. I thought they had stopped

signing autographs but they are signing lots more. They are still

some way I'm actually entering into the Royal Opera House. -- before

actually. There are very strict timing is around the schedule

tonight. We were hearing from Dame Helen Mirren and her fellowship

award, that will be given by Prince Wiliam, the Duke of Cambridge. That

is making timing is even more strict than they usually are. Prince

Wiliam, of course, has an association with BAFTA. It is not

the first time that he has come to the awards ceremony. It is the worst

time that he will actually have walked up the red carpet. There is

considerable excitement here about that. I had stopped talking on the

grounds that I am not sure anyone can hear me and I certainly cannot

hear myself. Angelina Jolie just straightening the bow tie up rapid.

There is Oprah Winfrey. She is nominated for her role in The

Butler. That is in the Best Supporting Actress category. That is

alongside Sally Hawkins who stars in Blue Jasmine. I had not spotted

Sally Hawkins yet. But she is the to be here. Damon Judi Dench is behind

me. Michael Fassbender. -- Street and in the bow tie of her partner

Brad Pitt. Dame Helen Mirren receiving the BAFTA Fellowship

award. The BAFTA awards have been running for a number of years but it

is in the last few years that they have taken on this added stature, I

think. That is reflected in the number of really big names that we

are seeing here on the red carpet outside the Royal Opera House in

Covent Garden tonight. Many members of the public have queued up to see

people arriving. This year, I felt that we have seen more members of

the public than ever, despite some really bad weather. Stanley Tucci,

the actor, is presenting an award tonight. He is greeting some fellow

actors, Bradley Cooper, among them. Worth remembering that the Oscar

voting opened earlier in the week. Those people who have the ability to

vote in the Oscars, they may well be watching tonight. Perhaps they have

not made up their mind. Perhaps it might influence them? that is why

the BAFTAs are growing in importance. So in the next couple of

hours we will know where the plaudits have gone. Find out later

on BBC News. Oprah posing for the last few

photographs, nominated alongside Sally Hawkins. Steve Coogan is

there, nominated for three things. He could take the best film or Best

British film. And he also co-wrote that, and they are nominated for

best screenplay, as is Jane -- Dame Judi Dench, nominated for the title

role of Philomena. Dame Helen Mirren telling us earlier how lovely it was

not to be short listed and to turn up knowing that you are going to be

receiving an award. She said she would be keeping a speech barely

short because it is near the end of the evening and people will be

thinking about going home. Lots of demand for her photograph here. No

surprise, a long career in film and television as well, of course, over

many years. Notably in Prime Suspect, perhaps what she is best

known for in the UK. She will be presented with her award by Prince

William. The screens surge as he is driven towards the Royal Opera house

tonight. -- screams surge. He is greeted at the bottom of the red

carpet. A huge point of screams. We did know he was coming on his own

tonight. Perhaps a slight element of disappointment to some in the crowd

about that, but nonetheless enormous excitement he will be presenting the

Fellowship award to Helen Mirren at the end of this evening's ceremony.

This ceremony tonight as ever is presented by Stephen Fry. We saw him

arrived about half an hour ago. -- him arrive. Lots of smiles and

camera phones. This is quite a strange sight because usually at

this point in the evening there are still do people behind us on the red

carpet giving interviews and signing autographs. Quite different now that

Prince William is here. He is talking to a man in the crowd that I

was talking to earlier, one of the men who said he'd been queueing up

since Saturday morning, determined to see a host of people, including

Prince William. They had stayed overnight and said they were let on

to the end of the red carpet at about 1pm this afternoon, so they

had to basically camp out in the very cold, wet London weather. That

is determination. Prince William of course was at the

premiere of Long Walk To Freedom, the film about Nelson Mandela. That

Premier turned out to be on the evening that he died, and Prince

William made if you moving comments at the end of that film. Idris Elba

of course was playing Nelson Mandela. -- made a few moving

comments. Very slow progress up the red carpet even for loyalty --

royalty. He is being very attentive and speaking to many people before

he will doubtless be ushered away so that this evening's ceremony can

begin. To remind you, if you haven't seen all our coverage this evening,

a really remarkable turnout from a lot of British talent and American

stars as well. Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Angelina

Jolie, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, so many very big

names now making the effort to fly above from the states to try to make

a good impression. -- to fly over from the States. If they can pick up

an award and get their photograph taken, there is a sense it will

boost their chances for the Oscars next month in Los Angeles will stop

-- in Los Angeles. A futures for Prince William as he makes his up

the red carpet. -- a few cheers. With Amanda Berry from BAFTA. And

even the many members of the press behind me on the podium here are

keen to take photographs of the Prince as he enters the Opera house.

The ceremony is due to begin in the next half-hour or so, hosted by Fry.

Then we will find out who is winning the coveted awards this evening. We

will of course bring you all the results as they come through. We

will have a sneak preview in a usual position inside the Royal Opera

house later this evening and we will bring you all the results as they

happen. Will you be Gravity, will it be 12 Years A Slave, directed by

Steve McQueen? Will it be American Hustle? Find out here on BBC news

over the course of the evening. As well as all the Bacton News, 16

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