BAFTA has issued an official response after an incident at Sunday night’s ceremony (February 22), including a direct apology to two actors.
This year’s BAFTA Film Awards took place last night, with The Good Wife actor Alan Cumming hosting the event.
Among the films contending for multiple honours was I Swear, which draws on John Davidson’s experiences after being diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome.
Davidson attended the ceremony, and those in the room were reportedly advised in advance that involuntary tics could be heard during the broadcast.
At one point, Davidson shouted the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award, prompting criticism of the BBC for airing the moment.
Lindo later addressed what happened, saying he would have preferred BAFTA to speak to him and Jordan afterward, adding that he and his Sinners co-star “did what we had to”.
BAFTA has now publicly addressed the controversy and said sorry to both Jordan and Lindo.
“At the BAFTA Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologize to all.
“One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette Syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over. Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional.
“John Davidson is an executive producer of the BAFTA nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.
“We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.”
In its statement, BAFTA also spoke directly about the moment the racial slur was heard and highlighted the presenters who were on stage at the time.
“Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologize unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.
“During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him.
“We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologize to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Racial Equity Support Line on 503-575-3764, available weekdays from 10am to 7pm PT. Or via the Lines for Life Equity Team at [email protected].