A debate has been sparked among BAFTA Film Awards attendees and online after a Tourette\u2019s campaigner, John Davidson, was heard cursing throughout the show.<\/p>\n
Davidson is the inspiration behind the BAFTA-nominated I Swear. Robert Aramayo, who depicted the Scotsman in Kirk Jones\u2019 widely acclaimed film, nabbed the BAFTA for best actor on Sunday night \u2014\u00a0over Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothee Chalamet, Ethan Hawke and Michael B. Jordan.<\/p>\n
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The film follows a man\u2019s struggle growing up with Tourette\u2019s syndrome, a condition characterized by sudden, involuntary and repetitive movements or sounds. These are known as tics, and they often manifest as outbursts such as loud swearing, which occurred numerous times over the first 20 minutes of the BAFTA ceremony as Davidson shouted, \u201cBoring!\u201d while guests were taken through some of the housekeeping rules before the show began, and \u201cBullshit!\u201d when people were asked not to curse.<\/p>\n
He also exclaimed, \u201cShut the fuck up,\u201d while BAFTA chair Sara Putt made her introductory remarks and, later, prompted gasps when he said the n-word as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash.<\/p>\n
In keeping with the celebratory tone of the evening, Cumming interrupted his hosting several times across the show to remind viewers: \u201cYou may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette\u2019s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience,\u201d he said, referencing I Swear. \u201cThanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Davidson left the ceremony at London\u2019s Royal Festival Hall around 25 minutes into the proceedings \u2014\u00a0which The Hollywood Reporter understands was of his own accord, and not the result of being asked to by BAFTA \u2014\u00a0Cumming said again: \u201cTourette\u2019s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you\u2019ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette\u2019s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guests were also notified before the awards show began that they might occasionally hear Davidson\u2019s tics. A floor manager welcomed him, saying: \u201cJohn has Tourette\u2019s Syndrome, so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n
BAFTA referred THR to the BBC when asked for a statement about the incident. The broadcaster, airing the show on a two-hour delay across the U.K., did not immediately respond, though questions have been raised behind the scenes over the decision to not edit out Davidson\u2019s cursing.<\/p>\n
The incident has prompted discussion among the film community in attendance at the BAFTA Film Awards, with many Brits maintaining that Tourette\u2019s is a deeply misunderstood condition. Others, including those from across the pond, were seemingly less tolerant of Davidson\u2019s outbursts. Some stressed on the night that his language could have been emotionally triggering for presenters.<\/p>\n
Sinners\u2019 production designer, Hannah Beachler, took to social media after the show. \u201cI keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can\u2019t find the words,\u201d she wrote on X. \u201cThe situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show,\u201d she added about Davidson\u2019s tics. \u201cI understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of \u2018if you were offended.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Aramayo, who also won the BAFTA Rising Star Award on Sunday, told the crowd while accepting the prize: \u201cJohn Davidson is the most remarkable man I ever met. He\u2019s so forthcoming with education and he believes there should be still so much more we need to learn about Tourette\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor people living with Tourette\u2019s, it\u2019s us around them who help them define what their experience is,\u201d Aramayo said. \u201cSo, to quote the film, they need support and understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
The discussion moved online, where some users commented that Tourette\u2019s is \u201cdebilitating\u201d and \u201creally, really awful.\u201d<\/p>\n
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