‘The Revenant,’ Leonardo DiCaprio Top Winners At Baftas

Survival drama “The Revenant” won top awards including the best film at the Bafta 2016 while its leading star Leonardo DiCaprio picked up the best actor trophy, cementing his chances at the Oscars later this month.

The Baftas, British cinema’s highest recognition, showered Valentine’s Day love on the Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s film true-story inspired drama which won the five major awards at Bafta. “Carol” failed to register a win despite nine nods.

DiCaprio, 41, has dominated the Hollywood award season this year for his physically-grueling turn as the 19th century fur trapper Hugh Glass, a role that saw him sleeping in a horse carcass and eating raw bison liver.

The actor, a three-time Bafta nominee for “The Aviator”, “The Departed” and “The Wolf of Wall Street”, paid glowing tribute to his mother in his speech.

“I grew up in a very rough neighborhood in East Los Angeles. And this woman drove me three hours a day to a different school to show me a different opportunity.

“I’m shocked and amazed, honored. To tell you the truth none of this was expected,” DiCaprio said.

52-year-old Inarritu, who won the Oscar last year for “The Birdman” and a favorite this year as well, said the film’s success at the Bafta awards is overwhelming.

Brie Larson, 26, won the best actress Bafta for her poignant portrayal of a woman kidnapped and kept in a small room with her child in “Room”. Her trophy was accepted by director Lenny Abrahamson at the event, hosted by Stephen Fry.

“The Revenant” was followed by George Miller’s action movie “Mad Max: Fury Road”. His film swept the technical categories with four wins in hair and make up, editing, costume design and production design.

DiCaprio’s “Titanic” co-star Kate Winslet won her third Bafta trophy for her part of Apple marketing executive Joanna Hoffman in “Steve Jobs”. Her previous wins were for “Sense and Sensibility” and “The Reader”.

In a moving speech, the star, 40, dedicated her award to young girls who doubt their ability.

“When I was only 14, I was told by a drama teacher that I might be okay as long as I was happy to settle for the fat girl parts. Look at me now,” said the Oscar-winning star, advising young girls to overcome their fears and insecurities.

Mark Rylance won the best supporting actor award for his role of a Russian spy in Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies”.

Indo-British helmer Asif Kapadia took home the best documentary award for “Amy”, a sensitive look at singer Amy Winehouse’s life and death at the age of 27 in 2011. (PNA/PTI) JBP/SSC