Brits Name This Year’s Rising Star Nominees

Suraj Sharma in Life of Pi
Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) and a fierce Bengal tiger named Richard Parker must rely on each other to survive an epic journey. - Photo : Rhythm & Hues -TM and © 2012 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
The field was narrowed to just five candidates as Pippa Harris, Deputy Chair of BAFTA’s Film Committee, revealed the nominees for this year’s EE Rising Star Award. The award is given out on an annual basis to actors who are headed for success in the film industry. Per BAFTA, the award “celebrates actors and actresses who have demonstrated exceptional talent and who have the potential to be cinema stars of the future.”

Without further ado, here are BAFTA’s choices for the 2013 Rising Star Award:

ELIZABETH OLSEN – At 17, Elizabeth moved to New York to study acting at the Tisch School of the Arts. After graduating she took Sundance by storm in 2011 when she appeared in not one but two of the most highly praised films in the festival: Martha Marcy May Marlene and Silent House. Most recently Elizabeth has completed production on the Spike Lee directed remake of Oldboy, opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Brolin.

Olsen stated: “Being considered for this award is a huge honour. So many actors whom I admire have been recognized in this category and I’m very thankful to BAFTA and the jury for selecting me.”

ANDREA RISEBOROUGH – Andrea graduated from RADA in 2005 and quickly began to accumulate critical acclaim and awards for her stage and screen work. She made her film debut in Roger Michell’s Venus. Roles in Never Let Me Go, Brighton Rock and Mike Leigh’s comedy-drama Happy Go Lucky soon followed. Andrea has also starred as both a young Margaret Thatcher in Margaret Thatcher – The Long Walk to Finchley and Wallis Simpson in W.E. She recently finished filming opposite Tom Cruise in Oblivion, which will be released in April.

Andrea stated: “To even be counted amongst this, and the last seven years’ rising star nominees feels utterly phenomenal! BAFTA nurtures new talent throughout the international film community so I am so very grateful to be given this fantastic opportunity, and look forward to us celebrating the kind recognition together.”

SURAJ SHARMA – Until recently 19 year old Suraj was living a quiet, middle class life with his parents in the suburbs of South Delhi. But, after an extensive search throughout India, Suraj was picked from 3,000 hopefuls to star in director Ang Lee’s 3D epic, Life of Pi. Before taking on the role, Suraj had no previous acting experience. The director had complete faith in his young lead, describing Suraj as a “gift from god” and a “great actor in a past life”.

JUNO TEMPLE – In just a few years, Juno Temple has firmly established herself as one of the most versatile and talented young actresses in Hollywood. Her breakthrough arrived when she won the role of Cate Blanchett’s rebellious, brooding daughter in Notes on a Scandal. This led to her appearance in the BAFTA- and Oscar-winning Atonement, opposite Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Saoirse Ronan. Since then a variety of well received film roles have followed, most recently opposite Matthew McConaughey and Emile Hirsch in the darkly comic Killer Joe.

Juno stated: “I’m extremely honoured to be nominated by BAFTA for this award and the fact the winner is voted for by the public makes it all the more exciting.”

ALICIA VIKANDER – Swedish born Alicia trained with The Royal Swedish Ballet for nine years before dedicating herself to acting. After appearing in several shorts and Swedish TV shows, she made her big-screen debut in Lisa Langseth’s Pure. 2012 saw Alicia burst onto the international scene with two major roles: Anna Karenina opposite Keira Knightley and Jude Law and the period drama A Royal Affair with Mads Mikkelsen. Recently Alicia has starred in the Warner Bros. feature The Seventh Son.

Alicia stated: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be nominated for this year’s EE Rising Star Award and would like to thank the jury for short-listing me. 2012 was an amazing year for me and I want to thank everyone who has supported me in my career to date.”

The winner will be announced on Sunday, February 10, 2013.

Source: BAFTA