The original Netflix film All Quiet On The Western Front, an anti-war epic directed by Edward Berger, is leading the 2023 British Academy Film Awards with 14 nominations, with The Banshees Of Inisherin and Everything Everywhere All At Once following behind.
Berger’s film is based on Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel of the same name and has received nominations for Best Film, Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film. Following this, All Quiet On The Western Front now mirrors Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, directed by Ang Lee and released in 2000, with the most nominations for a non-English language feature.
The film documents World War I breaking out in 1914 in Germany, resulting in a man called Paul Bäumer, played by Felix Kammerer, enlisting in the army. Following this, they are exposed to the battlefield’s brutal and emotionally harrowing realities.
Variety shared Berger’s response to the film’s reception: “We are speechless and overwhelmed. It’s an enormous honour to be acknowledged by the British Film Academy. That the film has resonated with so many people is a testament to Erich Maria Remarque’s extraordinary book, written 100 years ago and yet, sadly, still relevant today.”
“It was our north star. The novel’s powerful anti-war message unites us, no matter which country we live in,” the director continued. “We are indebted to our incredible creative team — each person was an integral part of the whole and turned the film into what it is now. Thank you so much, Bafta. We are deeply humbled.”
There are ten nominations each for Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees Of Inisherin and Everything Everywhere All At Once, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. In addition, Bazz Luhrmann’s musical biopic Elvis has received five nominations, likewise to Tar, directed by Todd Field.
The Banshees Of Inisherin stars Irish actor Colin Farrell who has earned his first Bafta nomination for Leading Actor. Farrell’s character resides on a remote island off the coast of Ireland and is devasted to find out his life-long friend, played by Brendan Gleeson, has turned his back on their friendship.
Other nominees in the Best Leading Actor category include Austin Butler for his performance as Elvis Presley, Brendan Fraser for his comeback role in The Whale, Paul Mescal for Aftersun, Bill Nighy for Living and Daryl McCormack for Good Luck to You, Leo Grande.
McDonagh’s film is nominated for Outstanding British Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Gleeson. Actor Kerry Condon appears in the film as Siobhán Súilleabháin, Farrell’s character’s sister, and has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
The 76th British Academy Film Awards will take place on Sunday, February 19th, 2023, at 7:00 pm GMT.
