I Swear Director Discusses BAFTA Meetings Amid Controversy

I Swear Director Discusses BAFTA Meetings Amid Controversy

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I Swear director Kirk Jones has revealed he had 'lengthy meetings' with BAFTA ahead of Tourette's sufferer John Davidson's appearance in the audience on Sunday night. 

While the film's star Robert Aramayo bagged himself two awards at the prestigious awards, I Swear has instead made headlines after John was heard shouting the N-word as Delroy Lindo and  as they presented the award for special visual effects.

John, 54, chose to leave the auditorium early and later apologised, while the  also apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the delayed broadcast.

On Tuesday it was announced Jonte Richardson will step down as a judge over its handling of the incident. 

And now the film's director has revealed, in an interview with The Telegraph conducted nine days before the awards, that there were 'lengthy meetings with BAFTA' to ensure John would feel comfortable on Sunday night. 

BAFTA host Alan Cumming issued an apology to viewers during the ceremony after John's involuntary shouts. 

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I Swear director has revealed he had 'lengthy meetings' with BAFTA about Tourette's sufferer John Davidson (pictured)- as judge resigns after 'unforgivable' handling of N-word outburst

Kirk revealed, in an interview with The Telegraph conducted nine days before the awards, that there were 'lengthy meetings with BAFTA' to ensure John would feel comfortable 

Addressing the shots, Alan told the crowd: 'You may have heard some strong offensive language tonight, but if you've seen the film I Swear, it's about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome. 

'It is a disability and the ticks you have heard tonight are involuntary that means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language and we apologise if it has caused offence.' 

The campaigner chose to leave the auditorium early and later apologised, while the  also apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the delayed broadcast.

Elsewhere in the interview, Kirk explained he was told after finishing the script that the film's swear count would need to come down otherwise it wouldn't be a commercial worldwide success. 

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The word 'f**k' is said 98 times while 'c**t' features 28 occasion, but Kirk said he wanted to have 'complete and total creative control'.

And now BAFTA judge Jonte has stepped down for his role over the handling of the incicdent. He wrote on LinkedIn: 'After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel.

'The organisation's handling of the unfortunate Tourette's N-Word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable. 

'I cannot and will not contribute my time energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community.

John was heard shouting the N-word as Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan as they presented the award for special visual effects 

Robert Aramayo bagged the award for Lead Actor, beating front-runners Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothee Chalamet who were also up for the award 

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I Swear stars Robert as campaigner John and depicts his younger years living in Glasgow , when he was first diagnosed with Tourette syndrome 

, when he was first diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.

The film was nominated in the Outstanding British Film category, but lost out to Hamnet. 

However, Robert bagged the award for Lead Actor, beating front-runners Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothee Chalamet who were also up for the award. 

He also won the EE Rising Star Award, the only public-voted accolade of the night.  

Peter Mullan, who plays Tommy Trotter in the film, was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor, however he lost out to Sean Penn who bagged the accolade for One Battle After Another. 

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