‘Mad Max: Fury Road,’ ‘Carol’ Score Big at AACTA International Awards

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AACTA International AwardsThe mood was effervescent – thanks in part to the sponsorship of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne– as the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts honored excellence in film with its 5th AACTA International Awards in ceremonies held at the historic Avalon Hollywood Friday night.

 

It was a big evening for “Mad Max: Fury Road” and the film’s director George Miller as they took home two AACTAs, for Best Film and Best Direction, adding to the slew of accolades already heaped upon the dystopian drama starring Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy during this awards season.

 

In addition to nine trophies at the recent Critics’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles, “Mad Max” received eight awards at AACTA’s domestic Awards in Sydney last month, including Best Film and Best Direction.

 

“Carol” was also a double winner, with International AACTAs going to Cate Blanchett for best lead actress and Rooney Mara for best supporting actress.

 

The presentation—which breezed by in an hour– got underway with Rachel Griffiths and Daniel MacPherson. Other presenters included Abbie Cornish, Miranda Otto, Angus Sampson, Jonathan LaPaglia, Radha Mitchell, Luke Bracey, Anna Torv and Phillip Noyce.

 

They awarded a total of seven categories, which also included Best Screenplay, Best Lead Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

 

The competition was strong across-the-board, although favorite Leonardo DiCaprio, who wasn’t able to attend, took the lead actor prize for his role in “The Revenant.” He was competing against Michael Fassbender (“Steve Jobs”), Steve Carell (“The Big Short”), Matt Damon (“The Martian”) and Eddie Redmayne (“The Danish Girl.”) It’s DiCaprio’s second win from the Australian Academy, after his trophy for “The Great Gatsby” in 2014.

 

Mark Rylance was awarded best supporting actor for “Bridge of Spies,” and gave an acceptance speech in costume via video from the stage of a play he’s performing– and gave most of the credit to his co-star, Tom Hanks. Rylance is also nominated for an Academy Award for the role of Soviet spy Rudolf Abel in Steven Spielberg’s Cold War thriller and also received noms from BAFTA and SAG.

 

The Best Screenplay AACTA went to Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy for “Spotlight,” which McCarthy directed, based on the true story of The Boston Globe’s reporting of a massive child sexual abuse scandal and cover up by the Catholic Church.  The other contenders were “Carol,” “Ex Machina,” “Steve Jobs” and “The Martian.”

 

“This year marks the first time we’ve seen an Australian film, “Mad Max: Fury Road” win at our domestic Awards in Sydney and then again at our International Awards in LA, and we’re delighted to see our U.S. and British counterparts also recognize this excellence with Oscar and BAFTA nominations,” said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella.

 

“Over the past five years we’ve seen AACTA International Award winners go on to win 16 BAFTAs and 14 Oscars, and we look forward with great anticipation to seeing if this trend again continues this year. We congratulate all winners, and wish them every success as we head towards the pointy end of this competitive awards season.”

 

The AACTA International Awards were telecast in Australia exclusively on Foxtel. The full show will also be available on Australian online streaming service, Presto, until February 29.

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Author: Hillary Atkin

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