dailyloe.com – Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro was awarded the BFI Fellowship on Wednesday night in London during the British Film Institute’s annual dinner. Cate Blanchett, an Australian actress and two-time Oscar winner, presented the award to del Toro. Blanchett starred in del Toro’s films like ‘Nightmare Alley’ and ‘Pinocchio’ and received the same honor in 2015.
At the event held in a central London hotel, the 61-year-old director reflected on his roots. He stated, “For a man who has tried to combine the brutal and the beautiful for 30 years, I have never made a film I wasn’t willing to die for. I was born in Mexico, geographically, spiritually, and physically, but over the years my soul has belonged to many parts of the world, including England, and the UK has given me so much.”
Del Toro joins a prestigious list of BFI Fellowship recipients, including David Lean, Bette Davis, Akira Kurosawa, and Martin Scorsese. He expressed the significance of the honor, stating, “The BFI protects not only British cinema but also film as an art form and keeps that faith alive. That is why this honor is so immense. I believe in the British Film Institute as a cultural beacon at a time when we are told that culture doesn’t matter.”
During the award presentation, Cate Blanchett praised del Toro’s work. She described him as “wild and entertaining, often hilarious and frequently terrifying,” noting his ability to provide a vision of what we must protect. She emphasized that he reminds audiences of the importance of love, beauty, and the human touch.
Jay Hunt, BFI president, characterized del Toro as “a benchmark of creative excellence.” She remarked, “He has remained unmistakably, stubbornly, and gloriously true to himself. He has shown that fantasy can interrogate history, that horror can denounce injustices, and that monsters can illuminate what it means to be human.”
