“All Quiet on the Western Front” on Thursday tied as the most-nominated foreign language film in British cinema history, receiving 14 nods for glory at the upcoming BAFTA awards.
German director Edward Berger’s anti-war movie ties with Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, which won the same number of nominations in 2001.
Elsewhere, dark comedy “The Banshees of Inisherin” and science-fiction comedy-drama “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, both received 10.
“Elvis”, Baz Luhrmann’s biopic of the king of rock ‘n’ roll, received nine nominations, with classical music psychological drama “Tar” in line for five awards.
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The awards ceremony, the highlight of the annual British film calendar and often seen as a forerunner to the Oscars in March, takes place in London on February 19.
BAFTA chairman Krishnendu Majumdar said the range of films recognised by the academy’s 7,500 voters gave a “uniquely British perspective” on the world’s best films.
“All Quiet on the Western Front”, about the experiences of a teenage German soldier during World War I, is based on the 1929 book by Erich Maria Remarque.
It is one of the most influential examples of anti-militaristic literature ever written, translated into over 60 languages and selling more than 50 million copies worldwide.
Just one year after it came out, a US film adaptation by Lewis Milestone was released, going on to win best picture and best director Oscars.
But its subversive message saw the work banned in Germany and targeted in the 1933 book burnings by the Nazis, who accused it of “betraying soldiers”.
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Filmmaker Berger told AFP last September: “My film stands out from American or British (war) films made from the point of view of the victors.”
“In Germany, there is always this feeling of shame, mourning and guilt (surrounding war). It was important for me to present this perspective.”
Its BAFTA nominations include for best film, best director, foreign film, adapted screenplay and cinematography, as well as supporting actor for Albrecht Schuch.
The best actor category will pit Paul Mescal (“Aftersun”) against Colin Farrell (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Austin Butler (“Elvis”), Daryl McCormack (“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”), Bill Nighy (“Living”), and Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”).
For best actress, the competition is between Ana de Armas (“Blonde”), Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”), Emma Thompson (“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”), Cate Blanchett (“Tar”), Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”), and Viola Davis (“The Woman King”).
© Agence France-Presse
