TEMPO.CO, London - Musical "La La Land" won big at Britain's main film awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, as it scooped the prize for best film, while Emma Stone and Damien Chazelle picked up awards for best actress and best director respectively.
It won five gongs in total to keep its hot streak in the movie awards season going before the Oscars later this month, as it also picked up awards for cinematography and original music.
Amid the awards, there were also veiled references to new U.S. president Donald Trump, who has caused controversy with his plans to build a wall on the Mexican border and his restrictions on migration.
"In a time that's so divisive I think it's really special that we were able to come together... to celebrate the positive gift of creativity and how it can transcend borders and how it can help people to feel a little less alone," Emma Stone said in her acceptance speech.
"La La Land", a throwback musical about an aspiring actress and a jazz pianist who are trying to make their way in Hollywood, had been nominated for 11 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards. Its success follows on from the Golden Globes, where it picked up seven awards.
It has a joint-record 14 nominations for the Academy Awards on February 26, Hollywood's highlight of the awards season.
Justin Hurwitz, who won the award for the film's music, said that he hoped the success of the film might prompt a renaissance in the genre.
"I love to go the theater and see musicals. So if this can help any more musicals get green-lit, that would be amazing," he told Reuters ahead of the ceremony.
REUTERS
