15/12/2009

Niels Malmros’ Aching Hearts is the heavy favourite at this year’s Robert awards, the national film honours handed out annually by the Danish Film Academy (DFA). Malmros’ drama received 18 nominations, six more than the second most nominated film, Lars von Trier’s Antichrist [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Lars von Trier
film profile].

A total of 18 films are competing in 88 different categories. “It’s great to see such a variety this year, with many new faces mixed with well-established filmmakers,” said producer Kim Magnusson, chairman of the DFA.

Aching Hearts and Antichrist will compete in the top categories for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress. Other Best Film contenders are Ole Bornedal’s Deliver Us from Evil [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (the third most nominated film) and two titles by debut filmmakers: Applause [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Martin Pieter Zandvliet
film profile] (Martin Pieter Zandvliet) and Old Boys (Nikolaj Steen).

All but one of this year’s main acting contenders have never been nominated for a Robert before. Best Actor nominees are Willem Dafoe (Antichrist), Lars Mikkelsen (Headhunter), Thomas Ernst (Aching Hearts), Kristian Halken (Old Boys) and Cyron Melville (Love & Rage); while the Best Actress category includes Charlotte Gainsbourg (Antichrist), Stephanie Leon (Hush Little Baby [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Simone Tang (Aching Hearts) and Birgitte Hjort Sørensen (At World’s End [+see also:
trailer
film profile]). Paprika Steen (Applause) already has two Roberts at home.

Five films are competing in the Children and Youth category: Charlotte Sachs Bostrup’s Karla and Katrine, Hella Joof’s Hush Little Baby, Giacomo Campeotto’s Storm, Birger Larsen’s Super Brother [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and Timetrip: The Curse of the Viking Witch by Mogens Hagedorn.

The 26th Roberts ceremony will take place in Copenhagen on February 7, 2010.