Racist Slur by Subject of “I Swear” Sparks Controversy at BAFTAs; BBC Censors Acceptance Speech
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, one of the most controversial moments of the 79th BAFTA Awards involved an individual with Tourette’s syndrome directed racist slurs toward Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. John Davidson, a Scottish activist and the subject of the film I Swear—which was nominated for five BAFTAs and won for Best Actor (Robert Aramayo) and Best Casting—became the center of the incident.
Throughout the ceremony, Davidson could be heard shouting profanities such as “shut up” and “f*** off.” However, Variety reports that when Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo took the stage to present the award for Best Special Visual Effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash, Davidson uttered the “N-word,” visibly distressing those in attendance.
The report further notes that Davidson shouted “shut up” during a speech by BAFTA Chair Sara Putt, as well as during the acceptance speech for the film Boong, which won Best Family Film.
Host Alan Cumming eventually addressed the situation, stating: “You may have noticed the sound of profanities in the background. This can be a manifestation of how Tourette’s syndrome presents in some individuals, an experience explored in the film tonight. Thank you for your understanding in maintaining a respectful environment for everyone.” Later in the evening, he clarified: “Tourette’s is a disability, and the tics you heard tonight were involuntary, meaning the individual has no control over their language. We apologize if you were offended.”
In a separate incident, the BBC, which broadcast the event, censored a political message. Will Davison and Akinola Davies Jr., winners of Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for My Father’s Shadow, expressed support for Palestine, but a portion of their speech was cut.
Davies Jr. dedicated the award to those whose “parents migrated for a better life for their children,” adding: “Economic migration. War migration. Migration from occupation, dictatorship, prosecution, and those experiencing genocide. You matter. Your stories matter more than ever. Your dreams are resistance for those watching at home. Archive your loved ones’ documents. Collect your stories of yesterday, today, and forever. For Nigeria, Congo, Sudan, Free Palestine.”
The final portion of the speech was censored by the BBC. A spokesperson for the network claimed that producers had to edit the three-hour event down to two hours for television: “The same happened to other speeches throughout the night; all edits were made to ensure the program fit its time slot. All winners’ speeches are available in full on the BAFTA YouTube channel.”
