The Award Winners of the 51st Nordic Film Days

The Award Winners of the 51st Nordic Film Days Lübeck

NDR Award for Best Feature Film
Det enda rationella / A Rational Solution
directed by Jörgen Bergmark
Sweden

Statement of the Jury
What is one of our deepest fears? That our dream of everlasting love could come to an end one day. An affair puts two befriended couples to the test. In an attempt to save their lifelong love, they try to find "a sensible solution" to their problem: an apartment-sharing community in which feelings are discussed, managed and lived openly. After all, one is grown up. In a surprisingly honest and consequent manner, the film accompanies the utopia of two couples who desperately try to do everything right. Great actors who are unafraid of direct and vulnerable moments lead us through a story that is both crazy and very close to real life. A film in which four people fight for their love: yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's.

LN Audience Prize
Postia pappi Jaakobille / Letters to Father Jacob
directed by Klaus Härö
Finland

Baltic Films Prize
Kohtaamisia / Heartbeats
directed by Saara Cantell
Finland

Statement of the Jury
Many films try to get close to the characters, only few succeed. We have chosen a film, that makes us feel compassion. A film, that tells a story in delicate sketches of life. A film, that through exquisite single takes reflects a heartfelt, empathic view of the world.

Interfilm Church Prize
Postia pappi Jaakobille / Letters to Father Jacob
directed by Klaus Härö
Finland

Statement of the Jury
The Interfilm Church Prize of the 51st Nordic Filmdays Lübeck goes to "Letters to Father Jacob" by Klaus Härö from Finland. The film explores the emotional and spiritual bond that is formed between a blind pastor and a convicted murderer and shows the Gospel message of unconditional love and forgiveness in an uniquely refreshing and surprising way. The relative simplicity of the story combined with the emotionally charged yet serene acting of Kaarina Hazard and Heikki Nousiainen makes this an intensive film experience.

Special Mention
Vegas / Vegas / Vegas
directed by Gunnar Vikene
Norway

The Interfilm jury of the 51st Nirdic Film Days award an honorary mention to the film "Vegas" by Gunnar Vikene. The adolescent actors Karoline Stemre, Jørgen Hausberg Nilsen and Sindre Kvalvåg Jacobsen give a highly convincing portrayal of their characters, whose families are broken by domestic violence, sexual abuse and accusations. In the face of a lack of parental responsibility, which the films depicts in a socio-critical image of an affluent country, the film underlines the children's opportunity of becoming their mutual "brothers-keepers" and of holding onto their hope of a safe family haven.

Documentary Film Prize
Fra Thailand til Thy / Love on Delivery
Fra Thy til Thailand / Ticket to Paradise
directed by Janus Metz
Denmark

Statement of the Jury
The award is given to both films, because in our opinion they are inextricably linked. The director Janus Metz has made an extraordinary achievement in coming so close to these individuals and their private fates. Exceptional camerawork and precision editing convey a set of emotions by the protagonists that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. We are introduced to women who have succeeded in securing their existence by means of migrating into worlds unbeknown to themselves.

Special Mention
Blut & Ehre / Blod & ære / Big John
directed by Håvard Bustnes
Norway

Havard Bustnes has succeeded in thematizing multi-layered problems in a single film. By example of boxing, he depicts both a father-son relationship and the difficulties of the ethnic minority of the Roma in Norway. The excellent montage of stock materiel allows for a close observation of a life dedicated to professional boxing.

Children's & Youth Film Prize
Yatzy / Yatzy / Yatzy
directed by Katja Eyde Jacobsen
Norway

Statement of the Jury
Trapped in a burning wardrobe, 15-year old Daggi begins his long path to freedom. Only gradually is his trauma, caused by mobbing, humiliation and abuse, unscrambled for the audience by means of Daggi's video recordings, which he watches over and over again. "Yatzy" boasts an impressive narrative consistency. Shown stringently from the perspective of her protagonist, director Katja Eyde Jacobsen demonstrates how a trauma continues to exist in the mind long after the actual abuse has ended, and how it makes a budding love relationship between Daggi and Gloria utterly impossible. The silent yet eloquent acting by the actors, alternating between vulnerability and aggression, confers a disturbing intensity on the film "Yatzy". The video-in film sequences demonstrate that while filming can signify oppressive remembrance, it can also ultimately lead to liberation.

Prize of the Children's Jury
ORPS - The Movie / ORPS - The Movie
directed by Atle Knudsen
Norway

Statement of the Jury
We had the great luck of becoming members of this year's children's jury. Instead of going to school, we spent the last few days going to the cinema. Throughout this time we watched seven selected movies. Our task was to rate these movies by discussing them until finally deciding on a winner. The last three days were very entertaining, eventful and sometimes exhausting. Although we enjoyed all of the films, we had to reach a decision in the end. One film in particular impressed us on account of its story and the way that was put into effect. To our surprise, our initial worries that the film might be boring were swept away from the very start. The film showed us that brass music can be very different, and that friendship and team spirit are more important than victory. We also liked the acting by the main actors. All this contributed to an eventful, funny and emotional film. Therefore the Prize of the Children's Jury goes to "ORPS" by Atle Knudsen.

Cinegate Prize
vorher / nachher / Afterwards
directed by Sonja Marie Krajewski
Germany