Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller became the first remote winners on tonight’s Oscar show, accepting their Best Adapted Screenplay trophies from London and Paris, respectively.
The pair triumphed for their screen version of Zeller’s play, The Father, which was first performed in French in 2012. Anthony Hopkins plays the title role in the film version, portraying a man slipping into dementia. Zeller has said seeing Rain Man first planted the idea of the potential for the story.
The Father beat out Nomadland, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, One Night in Miami and The White Tiger in the category. Zeller beamed as his shoulder-length hair waved in the breeze on the rooftop location in Paris. Hampton and Hopkins’ co-star Olivia Colman were shown at the British Film Institute screening room in London, the official Oscar night hub. Hampton smiled and stood proudly, but did not give a speech. Initially, show producers Steven Soderbergh, Stacey Sher and Jesse Collins instituted a ban on remote speeches, saying all nominees would need to appear at the main LA site. Given the number of hopefuls spread out across the world and limited by coronavirus travel protocols, the idea met with considerable pushback. A compromise was worked out to create centralized hubs, a solution aimed to help the night avoid the Zoom-fatigue feel of February’s Golden Globe Awards. The Father, like Nomadland, was not eligible for a Writers Guild Award because of the guild’s very specific criteria. But the film, propelled by Hopkins, had been gaining momentum in the Oscar race. After its start on the stage in France, The Father would be translated to English and produced on Broadway with Frank Langella in the role played by Hopkins on screen. Langella won a Tony Award for the performance in 2016. Zeller dedicated the win to Hopkins. “To me, he’s the greatest – the greatest living actor,” he said. “Just the idea to work with him was like a dream. I knew that it was not an easy dream to fulfill.” The co-writer, who also directed The Father, said Hopkins was his No. 1 choice as soon as the film project took shape. Initially, the idea of landing the Oscar winner and famed Royal Shakespeare Company alum was daunting. “Sometimes, we are the one who closes the door on what is possible and what is not possible,” Zeller said. “With ‘The Father,’ I really wanted not to close that door and to follow my inspiration and my desire and my dream. So, thank you, Anthony, for saying yes for that script.”...
The pair triumphed for their screen version of Zeller’s play, The Father, which was first performed in French in 2012. Anthony Hopkins plays the title role in the film version, portraying a man slipping into dementia. Zeller has said seeing Rain Man first planted the idea of the potential for the story.
The Father beat out Nomadland, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, One Night in Miami and The White Tiger in the category. Zeller beamed as his shoulder-length hair waved in the breeze on the rooftop location in Paris. Hampton and Hopkins’ co-star Olivia Colman were shown at the British Film Institute screening room in London, the official Oscar night hub. Hampton smiled and stood proudly, but did not give a speech. Initially, show producers Steven Soderbergh, Stacey Sher and Jesse Collins instituted a ban on remote speeches, saying all nominees would need to appear at the main LA site. Given the number of hopefuls spread out across the world and limited by coronavirus travel protocols, the idea met with considerable pushback. A compromise was worked out to create centralized hubs, a solution aimed to help the night avoid the Zoom-fatigue feel of February’s Golden Globe Awards. The Father, like Nomadland, was not eligible for a Writers Guild Award because of the guild’s very specific criteria. But the film, propelled by Hopkins, had been gaining momentum in the Oscar race. After its start on the stage in France, The Father would be translated to English and produced on Broadway with Frank Langella in the role played by Hopkins on screen. Langella won a Tony Award for the performance in 2016. Zeller dedicated the win to Hopkins. “To me, he’s the greatest – the greatest living actor,” he said. “Just the idea to work with him was like a dream. I knew that it was not an easy dream to fulfill.” The co-writer, who also directed The Father, said Hopkins was his No. 1 choice as soon as the film project took shape. Initially, the idea of landing the Oscar winner and famed Royal Shakespeare Company alum was daunting. “Sometimes, we are the one who closes the door on what is possible and what is not possible,” Zeller said. “With ‘The Father,’ I really wanted not to close that door and to follow my inspiration and my desire and my dream. So, thank you, Anthony, for saying yes for that script.”...
- 4/26/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Similar News
Lucy Liu Honored at Gold House Gala: ‘You Have Made Me Feel Proud. I Feel Like It’s Been Very Lonely’
- 5/12/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Comedian Rachel Feinstein Sets Premiere Date For Debut Netflix Hour ‘Big Guy’
- 5/10/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
101 Films International to launch sales on comedy horror ‘Crocodylus: Mating Season’ (exclusive)
- 5/10/2024
- ScreenDaily
Why Thor Was One Of The Most 'Daunting' Marvel Roles To Cast
- 5/12/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Trump Says He’d Deport ‘Anti-American’ Protesters in Bizarre Rally Speech
- 5/12/2024
- by Jeremy Childs
- Rollingstone.com
“Are we going to have Angelina Jolie back?”: Dave Bautista and Bryan Cranston Starrer Grendel Has Captivated Fans’ Attention With Its Powerful Casting
- 5/11/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
"Unsettling" Crime Series on Netflix is a Perfect Broadchurch Replacement
- 5/10/2024
- by louise.everitt@startefacts.com (Louise Everitt)
- STartefacts.com
Yes, Chef, The Bear Season 3 Teaser Promises Even More Stress
- 5/9/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
‘The Bear’ Season 3 Teaser: Jeremy Allen White Returns to the Kitchen
- 5/9/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $129 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
BAFTA TV Awards: ‘Top Boy,’ ‘Happy Valley’ Win Two Each as ‘The Crown,’ ‘Black Mirror’ Miss Out
- 5/12/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
John Oliver Hoped Finland’s Partially Nude Windows95man (and His Giant Denim Egg) Had Won Eurovision
- 5/13/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
China Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Opens on Top of Weekend Chart
- 5/13/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Aida Rodriguez: Unpacking My Childhood Traumas Through Comedy Is Cathartic
- 5/6/2024
- by Aida Rodriguez
- Popsugar.com
How Erik Rivera Uses Comedy to Heal and Help Others
- 5/6/2024
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
Ian Lara: Comedy Gave Me the Strength to Overcome My Mother's Death
- 5/6/2024
- by Ian Lara
- Popsugar.com
Sasha Merci: How Comedy Has Helped Me Navigate Depression
- 5/6/2024
- by Sasha Merci
- Popsugar.com
Gina Brillon: The Loss of My Grandmother Pushed Me to Pursue Comedy
- 5/6/2024
- by Gina Brillon
- Popsugar.com
Walton Goggins Found Transforming Into the Ghoul in ‘Fallout’ Challenging: ‘It Was Extremely Uncomfortable’
- 5/13/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Why DeAnne Smith Featured Their Ex-Boobs in Hannah Gadsby’s Latest Netflix Special
- 5/12/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Screenwriting Couple Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver Offer Advice on Breaking into Industry: ‘Try to Make the Stories as Personal as Possible’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Amy Poehler Wants ‘Inside Out’ Series to Be Like Michael Apted’s ‘Up’ Saga, Show Character Riley as ‘a Young Adult, and a Young Mother’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Justin Lin Believes Cultural Labels Can Hurt Careers: ‘I Do Think There Are Restrictions’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $129 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
Walton Goggins Found Transforming Into the Ghoul in ‘Fallout’ Challenging: ‘It Was Extremely Uncomfortable’
- 5/13/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
A dog in the dock and another doing red carpet interviews: why has Cannes gone canine crazy?
- 5/13/2024
- by Philip Oltermann
- The Guardian - Film News
China Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Opens on Top of Weekend Chart
- 5/13/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
BAFTA TV Awards: ‘Top Boy,’ ‘Happy Valley’ Win Two Each as ‘The Crown,’ ‘Black Mirror’ Miss Out
- 5/12/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Skip Intro Podcast
- 5/13/2024
- by Podcast Staff
- Tudum - Netflix
‘Interview With the Vampire’ Stars Break Down ‘Me & You’ Scene From Premiere (Video)
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider
‘American Idol’ Top 3 Revealed on Disney Night: Do You Agree With Voters? (Recap)
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider
Explaining the ‘Interview With the Vampire’ Season 2 Premiere — And That Creepy New Monster
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider