On February 18th, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts held its awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In the somewhat clumsily named Best Film Not in the English Language Category The Handmaiden emerged victorious. Directed by Park Chan-wook, it became the first Korean film nominated for the award and subsequently the first to win.
According to Soompi, the film went up against Elle, First They Killed My Father, Loveless, and Salesman. Park Chan Wook and the rest of The Handmaiden cast were not on hand to accept the award. Instead they will receive it at a later date.
The Handmaiden stars Kim Tae-ri, Kim Min-hee, and Ha Jung-woo. Based on the Welsh novel Fingesmith, the film follows a pickpocket who aids a con man in carrying out a plan to dupe a wealthy heiress out of her inheritance. However, things aren’t what they seem, and the film treats the viewer to many surprises along the way. For fans of the film, its BAFTA win should be another pleasant one.
