29/08/2006

Danish black comedy Adam’s Apples [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Anders Thomas Jensen
interview: Mads Mikkelsen
interview: Tivi Magnusson
film profile] by Anders Thomas Jensen (see film focus) has just won the Méliès d’Or for Best European Fantastic Film as well as the Audience Award at the Espoo Cine International Film Festival in Finland (August 22-27). With a dozen prizes from almost 20 international film festivals, this makes it the most awarded Danish film of the year.

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At Espoo Ciné, the 10-member jury led by Finnish director Petri Kotwica described the film as a magical story, both comforting and tinted with a touch of dark humour and said in a statement: “From the director to the actors, the entire crew deserves the jury’s praises. This truly surprising film reminds us that there is a wide grey area between good and evil in which we have the opportunity to grow and make decisions.” This is the second time the Danish writer/director has received the Melies d’Or, following his win in 2003 for The Green Butchers [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

A Special Mention was also awarded at the Finnish festival to Norwegian director Pål Sletaune for his film Next Door. “This clearly talented director and his crew have managed to translate a horror story that stems from everyday life into the language of cinema”, said the jury’s statement. Now in its 17 edition, Espoo Ciné is one of the most important international film festivals in Finland, focusing on new European cinema with special sections on fantasy films and gay films. Some 99 films from 36 countries screened at this year’s event, supported by the City of Espoo, the Finnish government and the MEDIA Programme.