Haugesund critics want Class

by Annika Pham

25/08/2008 - The 2008 Golden Palm winning film The Class [trailer, film focus] was awarded the Critics Award during the closing ceremony of the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund on August 21. Laurent Cantet’s film will be released in Norway at Christmas through Arthaus.

Three other awards were given out during the 36th NIFF: Thomas Vinterberg’s Danish comedy A Man Comes Home [trailer] won the Audience and a Special Mention from the Norwegian Cinema Association. The film will be release in Norway by Tour de Force.

The Norwegian Cinema Association also gave its Ray of Sunshine Award (“Gledessprederen”) to Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky [trailer] (Sandrew Metronome) and another Special Mention to the Norwegian documentary film 99% Honest by Rune Denstad Langlo, currently playing on Norwegian screens (Coriander Film).

The Andreas Award, or Ecumenical Award, was given to Erik Poppe’s Troubled Water, the closing film of the festival. It was the second time Poppe received the award with the one for Hawaii, Oslo [trailer] in 2004. Produced by Paradox, the film will open in Norway on September 26 (Scanbox).

The honorary awards Playing Faun from the City of Haugesund were awarded to film critics Martin Nordvik from Norway and Derek Malcolm from the UK, and Norwegian filmmaker Arne Lindtner Næss (The Junior Olsen Gang) was presented the Golden Ribbon from the Norwegian Cinema Association for his efforts as a director of good family films.

Over 35,000 tickets were sold during the 36th edition of the festival.