Bohemian Rhapsody director DROPPED by BAFTA in this category: Will this hurt Oscar hopes?

The movie is riding high at the box office and blazing a triumphant trail across this year’s awards ceremonies. However, one ongoing issue continues to hang over the Freddie Mercury blockbuster. Following the GLAAD awards dropping Bohemian Rhapsody, BAFTA has also taken a stand over the controversy which surrounds the shocking allegations made over the last few months. Will this damage the film’s chances of awards?

Last month, the influential Hollywood GLAAD awards removed Bohemian Rhapsody from contention.

This week, BAFTA announced that it was dropping Singer from contention in the Best British Picture category, saying the allegations made against him were “completely unacceptable and incompatible” with the academy’s core beliefs.

The disgraced director is facing multiple accusations of sexual abuse, including some with underage young men who have claimed they were put under duress.

Will this affect the movie’s chances at the BAFTAs on Sunday, or the Oscars later this month?

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Voting will have already have closed for the BAFTAs and the official statement also made it clear that no other person associated with the movie was being suspended, nor was the film itself suspended from any category.

BAFTA said: “For the avoidance of doubt, Bohemian Rhapsody remains nominated in the Outstanding British Film category, and the other individuals named as candidates in respect of the film remain nominees.

“Bafta believes everyone has the right to a fulfilling career in a safe, professional working environment, and it will continue to collaborate with the film, games and television industries to achieve this.”

Oscar voting, however, will reopen next Tuesday.

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The film has proved a staggering success worldwide and initial critical antipathy has been replaced by the slew of awards nominations. However, in an increasingly sensitive climate, it remains to be seen whether Singer’s ongoing investigation will tarnish its chances.

Members of the motion picture academy cast their Oscar nomination ballots before January 14. The nominations were be revealed on January 22 and the actual final voting in each category will take place for eight days from February 12.

Bohemian Rhapsody has been nominated in five categories: Best Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Film Editing and Best Actor, for Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury. The 91st annual Academy Awards take place on February 24.

source: express.co.uk