Berlin hosted the 38th European Film Awards on Saturday, celebrating the best in European cinema with Joachim Trier‘s “Sentimental Value” taking home the evening’s top honor for Best Film. The awards, voted on by roughly 5,400 members of the European Film academy, recognize artistic achievement adn are considered a key indicator for the upcoming Academy Awards race. This year’s ceremony also served as a platform for solidarity with Iranian filmmakers and protestors facing government repression, with director Jafar Panahi delivering a pointed message about the escalating crisis.
“Sentimental Value” took home the top prize at the European Film Awards on Saturday, earning six awards including Best Film. The drama, directed by Joachim Trier, explores the complex relationship between a filmmaker and his two daughters, resonating with audiences and critics alike.
The film’s leading actors, Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve, were also recognized for their performances, each winning an acting award. Trier himself was honored with the award for Best Director. The wins solidify the film’s position as a major contender on the international stage.
French director Oliver Laxe’s road movie “Sirât” was also a major winner, receiving five awards. The film follows a father and son as they search for a missing daughter in the desert.
Germany’s submission to the Oscars, Mascha Schilinski’s “In die Sonne schauen” (Looking at the Sun), won an award for Best Costume Design, but didn’t secure any other wins despite multiple nominations. Swiss cinematographer Fabian Gamper, also nominated for his work on the film, was not among the recipients.
Solidarity with Iran
The 38th European Film Awards ceremony, held in Berlin, opened with a powerful address from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi (“Ein einfacher Unfall”). Panahi used his platform to speak out about the current situation in his homeland, where the government has been cracking down on protestors.
“If the world does not react today to this blatant violence, it is not only Iran, but the whole world that is in danger,” Panahi stated. Throughout the evening, several filmmakers on the red carpet also voiced their support for the Iranian people, demonstrating a united front against oppression.
The European Film Awards alternate between Berlin and other host cities each year. Approximately 5400 members of the European Film Academy cast votes for the various winners, mirroring the process used by the Academy Awards in the United States.
Other Honorees
“Fiume o Morte!” was awarded the prize for Best Documentary. Liv Ullmann, the acclaimed Norwegian actress and director (“Scenes from a Marriage”), received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her significant contributions to cinema.
The team at Komplizen Film, a Berlin-based production company comprised of Maren Ade, Janine Jackowski, and Jonas Dornbach, also received an award. Italian filmmaker Alice Rohrwacher (“Happy as Lazzaro”) was honored for her contribution to the global influence of European cinema.
This article was published automatically. Source : ats
