2017 BAFTA goes political!

New Delhi [India], Feb. 13 (ANI): The 2017 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, on Sunday, got political, where the stars were vocal about the situation in the United States after President Donald Trump was sworn into office last month. It started with comedian Stephen Fry, host of the 70th BAFTA Awards, calling the U.S President a "blithering idiot." According to a report in People magazine, Fry, while making his opening remarks, welcomed Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep to the ceremony, saying she was "one of the greatest actresses of all-time.Only a blithering idiot would think otherwise," in reference to Trump's comment on Streep, after her speech at the 74th Golden Globes ceremony last month. Viola Davis, who won 'Best Supporting Actress' for 'Fences,' said while walking the red carpet, "I feel like it's everyone's duty and privilege to speak out against political injustice." She also came to Streep's defense, calling her "the most honorable, the most accessible human being you could want to meet." Emma Stone, during her acceptance speech for best actress in a leading role for 'La La Land,' said that the awards ceremony was a welcome distraction during such "divisive" times. "I don't know if you've realized this but right now this country and the U.S. and the world seems to be going through a bit of a time. Just a bit," she said. "In a time that's so divisive, I think it's really special that we are all able to come together tonight thanks to BAFTA to celebrate the positive effect of creativity and how we can transcend borders and how we can help people to feel a little less alone." Justin Hurwitz too made sure to thank a special someone for helping him win the award for best original music for his work in 'La La Land,' "Thank you to the academy- or Russia. Either way it's a huge honor." Taking a jab at Trump's plan of building a wall at the Mexican border, BAFTA chair Jane Lush quipped, "Such is the demand for British talent in Hollywood, I worry that someone might build a wall across the Atlantic in a bid to keep us out." A report in express.co.uk said Hugh Grant too, at the event, slammed Trump's comment on Streep, which branded her "one of the most overrated actresses in Hollywood", and said, "It's like watching Leonardo Da Vinci paint or something. She is just really, really good. I would say sort of possessed by the role, so almost like something from the exorcist." According to the Independent, Ken Loach used his acceptance speech for 'Best British Film' for 'I, Daniel Blake,' to rebuke the "callous brutality" of the government's benefits system and its "disgraceful" treatment of refugees. "Thank you to the academy for endorsing the truths of what the film says, which hundreds and thousands of people in this country know, the most vulnerable and poorest are treated by the Government with a callous brutality that is disgraceful, a brutality that extends to keeping out refugee children we promised to help and that's a disgrace too," Loach said. (ANI)