19/11/2009

The 22-year-old Swedish actor Anastasios Soulis is the recipient of the 2009 L’Oreal Paris Rising Star Award, given each year to up-and-coming Swedish acting talent as part of the Stockholm International Film Festival (November 18-29).

The selection jury – comprising representatives from Teaterförbundet, (Swedish Union for Theatre, Artists and Media), the Swedish Film Institute (SFI), the Swedish Film and Television Producers Association and Swedish actors Marie Richardson and Gustaf Hammarsten – had the following motivation: "Anastasios Soulis receives this year's award for his ability to portray young people's lives and dreams with great emotions and absolute pitch.

“In 2009 we have seen this young actor in different productions, such as The Wedding Photographer, in which he plays a prosperous son in law; the Johan Falk films where he was a crime aspiring youngster; and Starring Maja [+see also:
trailer
film profile], in which he plays a shy friend. We want more and long to see our Rising Star shine in leading roles as well as polished supporting roles."

The young actor made his feature film debut in 2000 in Ulf Malmros' A Summer Tale. In 2006, he was nominated for the Best Actor Guldbagge for his turn inJohan Brisinger’s Suddenly [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and in 2008 he had a part in the French/Swedish co-production Grown Ups [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Anna Novion.

He is currently on Swedish screens in the local films Starring Maja by Teresa Fabik and The Wedding Photographer by Ulf Malmros.

Soulis will be presented with his award at the Stockholm festival on November 28. He will also be invited to the upcoming Cannes Film Festival through sponsor L’Oréal. Last year’s first recipient of the L’Oreal Paris Rising Star award was the actress Malin Crépin.