MALIK BENDJELLOUL: Wow, what an honour!
There is so much stuff I would like to say; I am not going to do that tonight though. I’m just going to say thank you to a few people.
First of all, thank you to BAFTA, thank you — this is fantastic, thank you BAFTA.
I would also like to thank Studio Canal and Sony Classics, Simon, John Bacsik, who is sitting over there, thank you so much. Wonderful.
SIMON CHINN: Thank you BAFTA, thank you to Studio Canal as well. Thank you to my brilliant producing partners at Passion Pictures, George Chignell, Nicole Stott and Andrew Ruhemann. This film — working on this film has been a huge, huge pleasure, for all sorts of reasons. Above all, actually, the people, both on-screen and off, not least this man here. Not bad for his first film longer than six minutes! We are incredibly gratified also to be able to introduce the wonderful Rodriguez and his music to so many people through this film.
And — you want to say something?
MALIK BENDJELLOUL: And why he is not here, we hoped he was going to be here, but right now, at this very moment, he is playing to a sold out stadium in Cape Town.
SIMON CHINN: And it’s particularly great that he is finally getting the recognition and the royalties he deserves. Thank you.
