Ahead of the announcement for the 2019 BAFTA nominations, we've put together a list of the most likely contenders for one of the most important categories: Outstanding British Film. In a world dominated by Hollywood, sometimes it's easy to forget what British filmmaking is all about.
Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody
Having bagged two Golden Globes already (for Best Drama and Best Actor), prospects for BAFTAs and Academy Awards are looking good for this Freddie Mercury biopic starring Rami Malek. Frankly, we'd be astounded if the film was snubbed harder than Rami was by Nicole Kidman on the Globes stage.
The Favourite
Five nominations including one win at the Golden Globes (congratulations Olivia Colman!) again means there's a good chance this period comedy-drama will be just as recognised at the BAFTAs. It's about two women at war to be the favourite companion of Queen Anne, and they'll do just about anything to bring the other one down.
Colette
One of the most important stories of the year was this true account of the life of French novelist Colette; a woman whose first books (the Claudine stories) appeared under her husband's name, until she decided that it was time to make a name for herself and embarked on her own publication journey. Starring Keira Knightley and Dominic West, it's a powerful tale of overcoming patriarchal adversity.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
It's unlikely to receive a Best Film nod, but we'd be surprised if it didn't land in the Outstanding British Film category particularly as the first movie was nominated back in 2017. JK Rowling's story of Newt Scamander grows deeper and darker as Dumbledore enlists him to help stop the dark wizard Grindelwald taking over the magical community.
Widows
It might initially sound an odd choice for Outstanding British film given it has an American director (Steve McQueen). However, the cast is made up of American, Australian, British and Irish stars and, while it's set in Chicago, the film is actually based on the 80s ITV crime series of the same name which was originally nominated for a Best Drama Series BAFTA in 1984.
American Animals
Another British-American flick, this was also set in the US but has been directed and written by British filmmaker Bart Layton. Like Widows, it's also a heist film, and it probably has one of the best soundtracks of any film released last year.
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