4 Months, 3 Weeks and two awards at the European Film Awards
by Vitor Pinto
Emotionally suspenseful Romanian title 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (see focus) was chosen the European Film of 2007 at the 20th European Film Awards ceremony, held last night in Berlin.
Christian Mungiu, the 39-year old filmmaker behind Romania's most celebrated film ever, was chosen European Director, beating out heavyweight competitors such as Stephen Frears, who, curiously, was the president of the jury at the latest Cannes Film Festival. The Palme d’Or to 4 Months marked the beginning of its remarkable international career, now crowned by the Film Academy with two prizes.
The most nominated title of the night, The Queen, also picked up two awards: best actress for Helen Mirren and best composer for Alexandre Desplat.
Sasson Gabai won best actor for his performance in Eran Kolirin's The Band’s Visit, the Israeli title that also got the European Discovery Prize.
The ensemble drama The Edge of Heaven saw German-Turkish director-screenwriter Fatih Akin scoop up the best screenplay prize.
The ceremony was also marked by the absence of Swiss-born director Jean-Luc Godard, who did not appear on stage to receive the Honorary Award. In an interview to the German magazine Der Spiegel, Godard stated that his absence was a protest against a prize "imposed" upon his entire career.
The list of winners
European Film
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Cristian Mungiu
interview: Oleg Mutu
film profile] by Cristian Mungiu, Romania
European Director
Cristian Mungiu for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
European Actress
Helen Mirren in The Queen [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Andy Harries
interview: Stephen Frears
film profile]
European Actor
Sasson Gabai in The Band’s Visit [+see also:
trailer
film profile]
European Screenwriter
Fatih Akin for The Edge of Heaven [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Fatih Akin
interview: Klaus Maeck
film profile]
European Cinematographer
Frank Griebe for Perfume: The Story of a Murderer [+see also:
trailer
film profile]
European Film Academy Prix d’Excellence
Uli Hanisch for Production Design - Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
European Composer
Alexandre Desplat for The Queen
European Film Academy Short Film 2007 – Prix UIP
Alumbramiento by Eduardo Chapero-Jackson
People's Choice Award 2007 for Best European Film
The Unknown [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Giuseppe Tornatore
Prix FIPRESCI
Private Fears in Public Places [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Alain Resnais
Prix Eurimages
Margaret Ménégoz and Dr. Veit Heiduschka
European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award
Jean-Luc Godard
European Achievement in World Cinema 2007 – Prix Screen International
Michael Ballhaus
Honorary Award
Manoel de Oliveira
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