Kenneth Branagh to Receive Dilys Powell Award

Nov 21, 2015

Posted by: Catherine

Branagh, Film Awards, News

Kenneth Branagh has been chosen to receive one of the most prestigious awards for excellence in film, the Dilys Powell Award. This award is bequeathed by The London Film Critics’ Circle, largely known as one of the most established critics’ body in the United Kingdom.

Known for his acting and directing that well exceed his role as Gilderoy Lockhart in the Harry Potter films, Branagh has been chosen to receive the award for his excellence in both roles in front of and behind the camera. Though, a precious award from the London Critics was awarded to him in 2002, for his supporting in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Variety reported on the story, saying:

 

“As a young filmmaker, I had the privilege of meeting Dilys Powell,” Branagh said in a statement, referring to the late Sunday Times critic for whom the award is named. “She was passionate, rigorous, humane. Her criticism was illuminating, thoughtful and bracing. This recognition in her name is a great honour to me personally and very meaningful. My sincere thanks to the Critics’ Circle.”

The award acknowledges the Belfast-born Branagh’s 34-year career before and behind the camera, which began humbly as an uncredited bit player in 1981’s Oscar-winning “Chariots of Fire.” Eight years later, he made his directorial debut with a startling interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Henry V” — earning Oscar nominations as actor and helmer. He has since earned three more nods in a range of disciplines, while career highlights have included “Dead Again,” “Hamlet,” “Othello” and Woody Allen’s “Celebrity.”

In 2011, his witty performance as Laurence Olivier — the man to whom Branagh has routinely been compared throughout his career — in “My Week With Marilyn” earned him his third competitive award from the London critics. Previous wins came for his supporting turn in 2002’s “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and his production of 1993’s “Much Ado About Nothing.”

 

Branagh joins many other prestigious actors in the league who have also accepted this award. Among those big names is another Harry Potter actor, Gary Oldman (Sirius Black). Branagh will be accepting the award at the 36th London Film Critics’ Circle Awards ceremony in London, on January 17, 2016. At the awards ceremony, much like the Oscars, the Circle will be revealing its selection of 2015’s outstanding achievements in film; the nominations for the award ceremony will be revealed on December 15.





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