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‘The Favourite’, ‘Roma’ emerge favourites at BAFTA 2019 (Lead)
London, Feb 11 (IANS) It was a win-win for period dramas at the 2019 British Academy Film Awards here on Sunday night as the 18th century-set “The Favourite” won seven honours, and the Mexican black and white drama “Roma” registered four big wins.
At the ceremony hosted by Joanna Lumley at the Royal Albert Hall, “The Favourite” won Outstanding British Film, Leading Actress (Olivia Colman), Supporting Actress (Rachel Weisz), Original Screenplay, Costume Design, Production Design, Make Up and Hair.
While collecting the Original Screenplay for “The Favourite”, Deborah Davis said: “I’m so excited to be standing here to receive my first BAFTA for my first screenplay.
“Thank you for celebrating our female-dominated movie about women in power.”
Netflix’s “Roma” scooped up big honours, including the Best Film, Best Director, Film Not in the English Language and Cinematography.
Cuaron won in each of these categories, setting a tone of sorts for what to expect at the Oscars later this month.
He thanked Netflix for having the “faith and courage to get behind a black-and-white film about a domestic worker, subtitled from Spanish, and bring it to audiences around the world”.
“To see a film about an indigenous domestic worker embraced this way in an age when fear and anger propose to divide us means the world to me.
“Reverting back to a world of separation and isolation is not a solution to anything. It is simply an excuse to hide our fear within our basest instincts,” he said.
Acting accolades went to Rami Malek for his lead role as Queen star Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which also won an award for Sound.
Mahershala Ali won the Best Supporting Actor for “Green Book”, a film backed by Reliance Entertainment’s Amblin Entertainment.
Diversity was celebrated as Guyanese-born British actress Letitia Wright won the EE Rising Star Award — an honour that the public votes for.
“BlacKkKlansman” won for Adapted Screenplay, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” took the award for Animated Film, the Best Documentary went to “Free Solo”, “Vice” won for Editing, and “Black Panther” received the BAFTA for Special Visual Effects.
“A Star Is Born” won for Original Music — an award that singer-actress Lady Gaga was ecstatic about.
The film’s actor-director Bradley Cooper, who composed music for it too, said: “I got to fulfill a dream I never thought would happen, and I got to do it with some of the best musicians in the world. The music was the heartbeat of the film.”
Writer-director Michael Pearce and Producer Lauren Dark received the award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for “Beast”.
The Special Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema was presented to Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley, a producing partnership who have created some iconic British films of recent years, including “The Crying Game”, “Company of Wolves”, “Little Voice”, “Scandal”, “Carol” and “Colette”.
The Fellowship, the highest honour the Academy can bestow, was presented to editor Thelma Schoonmaker.
The show featured performances by Cirque du Soleil and Jess Gillam. The elegantly dressed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took front row seats at the event.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.