A mystery film set in the world of art that explores themes of sexual jealousy and intense competition between two married writers was the talk of the town at Saturday’s European Film Awards (EFA) in Berlin. Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall outshone its competitors, winning four out of the five major awards.
The focus of Triet’s drama is a fatal plunge from the highest level of a chalet in the French Alps. This film received top honors at the European awards show, including best picture, best director, and best screenplay, along with a best actress trophy for Sandra Hüller, the lead actress in the film.
During the night, German actor Hüller emerged as a top winner, having also received a nomination for her performance in Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest. This marks her second win after being recognized as best actress for her role in the cult comedy Toni Erdmann in 2016. At 45 years old, she joins a prestigious group of esteemed actresses including Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Huppert, Carmen Maura, and Charlotte Rampling, who have also won the award more than once.
Hüller, the actor whom Triet credited for inspiring her to write Anatomy of a Fall, is now highly likely to receive a nomination at the upcoming Academy Awards. When questioned about the movie’s potential for an Oscar, Triet stated, “Now that we are in the running, we will continue on that path.”
While giving her speech in Berlin, Hüller urged the audience to observe a moment of silence and envision peace, without specifying a particular conflict.
Mads Mikkelsen, a Danish actor, was awarded best actor for his portrayal of a commoner who becomes a captain in the period drama The Promised Land, directed by Nikolaj Arcel.
Held at Berlin’s Arena venue next to the river Spree, the EFA had initially looked like a three-horse race between Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest, and Falling Leaves by the Finnish “master of silence” Aki Kaurismäki, the last two of which had received five nominations apiece in the major categories.
The purpose of the award is to acknowledge the top films from the past year within geographical Europe, encompassing both EU and non-EU countries.
Glazer’s and Kaurismäki’s movies had a disappointing evening, as Glazer’s film about Auschwitz only won an award for best sound and Triet’s film received a total of six awards.
Co-written by Triet and her husband, Arthur Harari, during the Covid lockdown, Anatomy of a Fall lays bare the resentments and sexual jealousies between Hüller’s character, Sandra, and that of her husband, Samuel (Samuel Theis), two writers with a habit of cannibalising their private lives for their own creative output. “We put our relationship to the test, but we survived,” she said during her acceptance speech.
The movie featuring a couple who speaks multiple languages may have positive implications for the Franco-German alliance within the European Union, according to her partner. He suggested that the film could potentially strengthen the partnership between the German and French governments.
The evening also saw other winners, including the documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, which was both sweaty and intimate. The Estonian director, Anna Hints, chose to give her acceptance speech through song.
Two British filmmakers made a name for themselves on the global stage: Molly Manning Walker, a 30-year-old first-time director, was recognized with the Un Certain Regard award at Cannes and also won the European Discovery prize for her debut film How to Have Sex. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Charlotte Regan received the Young Audience award for her comedy-drama Scrapper.
Manning Walker stated to the media following the awards ceremony that Charlotte and they share a desire to transform the management of sets with compassion and consideration. They hope this will result in improved work.
Complete list of accolades
Best film Anatomy of a Fall
European Discovery (Fipresci prize) How to Have Sex
Best documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood
Top animated film “Robot Dreams”
Top short film “Barely Working”
The top filmmaker, Justine Triet, for the movie Anatomy of a Fall.
Sandra Hüller, who won the award for best actress, stars in Anatomy of a Fall.
The top performer is Mads Mikkelsen.
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Renowned screenwriter, Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall.
The Promised Land has exceptional cinematography.
Best editing Anatomy of a Fall
Top-notch artistic design of La Chimera
Best costume design The Promised Land
Society of the Snow’s top hair and makeup.
Top score for Club Zero’s original composition
Best sound The Zone of Interest
“Snow Society’s top-notch visual effects”
Vanessa Redgrave was honored with the EFA lifetime achievement award.
Isabel Coixet’s contribution to global cinema from a European perspective.
The Eurimages co-production award, also known as the Prix Eurimages, was received by Uljana Kim.
Award for Best European University Film: Anatomy of a Fall
Young audience award Scrapper
Güler Sabanci receives the Sustainability Award.
The Academy President and Board have bestowed upon Béla Tarr the Honorary Award.
Béla Tarr has been granted the Honorary Award by the Academy President and Board.
Source: theguardian.com
