Perhaps unexpectedly for the star of Joker, a film that focuses on white male rage, Joaquin
Phoenix’s (many, many) acceptance speeches all had the most noticeably woke through-line of
any actor this season. He’s spoken about climate change, about on-screen representation, about
veganism and Heath Ledger and other topics weightier than his own emaciated Joker character,
Arthur Fleck, to the point that, ahead of the Academy Awards, one industry publication asked,
“How nervous should the Oscars be about a Joaquin Phoenix acceptance speech?” (They needn’t
have worried: it was largely about animal welfare.) Between upcoming A24 project C’mon C’mon
and a rumoured second Joker film (just how much method acting can the poor man’s body take?),
it won’t be long before Phoenix is back on that stage – doubtless with even more to say.The Method ManJoaquin Phoenix
Winner Best Actor
Film JokerJoaquin wears Stella McCartneyBAFTA 202004-20BAFTAs_3418656.indd 173 13/02/2020 11:39
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