Some nominees from the British Independent Film Awards photographed in London
Photographed for Observer New Review
Katherine Waterson - The End We Start From
Nabhaan Rizwan - In Camera
Nathan Stewart Jarrett and George MacKay - Femme
Priya Kansara - Polite Society
Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson - Rye Lane
Mia McKenna-Bruce - How To Have Sex
Samantha Morton in London
Commissioned by The Guardian
Sir Kenneth Branagh, a face and name known to most. He’s won awards for his acting as well as his directing. Now - with a film loosely based on his own upbringing in Belfast, he’s topping this year’s award nominations for his writing and directing.
This shoot with Kenneth was done at the House of St Barnabas in central London. Sir Kenneth turned out to be the real gentleman I was hoping he was. Genuine, interesting, with a quiet and gentle demeanour. It became evident to me that this film was truly something special to him. The way he was talking about the film and the way he talked about finding someone to play himself it felt like he had put his hart and soul into it. Now that the awards season in upon us it is great to see that a film with such personal meaning from a director such as Kenneth has made it to the top of the nomination bill.
Shot for Sunday Times Culture
Dame Eileen Atkins, winner of a BAFTA, EMMy award and Olivier Award, was appointed the Commander of the Order of the British Empire and Dame Commander of the Order of British Empire. Now - how’s that for an opening sentence on your Wikipedia page?!
The thing about Eileen (and yes - I was told to drop the Dame when I spoke to her so I continue on a more casual first name basis here too), is that she is so casual and pleasant to deal with. Her place, a wonderful and charming house in the West London, is a long way away from where she grew up, as the daughter of a meter reader in Tottenham. She had that charm that comes with the more senior generation of the British acting world. There is a relaxed attitude there, a playfulness. I have seen the same in many of the British traditional actors and actresses. They started acting because they loved the work, not to become famous, and the joy they feel due to living the life they have always wanted to is worn on their sleeves.
Eileen was 100% lovely! Fun, charming, natural and playful - all at once. She has just released her autobiography (up to the age of 30) and I bet it will be a great read. Just seeing the pictures from her young days which are in the book is great fun.
Shot for Observer New Review
