The Norwegian Film Critics’ Award at the 46^th Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund has been bestowed upon the Swedish-Danish title Border [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Ali Abbasi
scheda film], directed by Ali Abbasi, and scripted by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Abbasi and Isabella Eklöf (Holiday [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Victoria Carmen Sonne
scheda film]), based on a story by Lindqvist (Let the Right One In). 

The jury was appointed by the Norwegian Film Critics’ Society, and included Guri Kulås from Klassekampen, Terje Eidsvåg from Adresseavisen and Britt Aksnes from Dag og Tid. Their motivation stated that the film “is thematically and visually daring, with a finely tuned balance between the serious and the comedic. Rarely have we seen such a unique and meaningful allegory over subjects such as alienation, integration and identity. And never have we seen a superior modernised version of Nordic folklore.” Border, the tale of an eccentric customs officer with a supernatural pedigree, premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of this year’s Cannes, where it also snagged the top UCR Award. 

The Audience Award, presented by an audience jury appointed by TV Haugaland, also went to a Cannes entry, Capernaum [+leggi anche:
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scheda film], directed by Lebanon’s Nadine Labaki. In their deliberation, the jury stated that the film is “raw and realistic, yet able to draw comedy and warmth from an otherwise seemingly hopeless situation”.

The Ray of Sunshine Prize, awarded by a jury appointed by the Norwegian Cinema Managers’ Association, was given to the French-Italian-Belgian-US production The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir [+leggi anche:
trailer
scheda film], directed by Ken Scott. The Andreas Award, Haugesund’s ecumenical film prize, went to The Children Act [+leggi anche:
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scheda film], Richard Eyre’s adaptation of an Ian McEwan novel, and the FIPRESCI Award was given to Finland’s Euthanizer [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Teemu Nikki
scheda film], directed by Teemu Nikki and lauded for its “splendidly dark and original takes on well-mined genre forms”.

Haugesund also presented the five feature films from the Nordic countries nominated for the 2018 Nordic Council Film Prize. The Nordic Council Film Prize is awarded to a full-length feature film that has its roots in Nordic culture and displays high standards of artistic quality and originality. The Nordisk Film & TV Fond is responsible for the administration of the prize of DKK 350,000, to be shared equally among the winning film’s director, scriptwriter and producer. The 2018 nominees are Denmark’s Winter Brothers [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Elliott Crosset Hove
intervista: Hlynur Pálmason
scheda film] by Hlynur Pálmason, Finland’s Euthanizer by Teemu Nikki, Iceland’s Woman at War [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Benedikt Erlingsson
intervista: Benedikt Erlingsson
scheda film] by Benedikt Erlingsson, Norway’s Thelma [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Eili Harboe
intervista: Joachim Trier
scheda film] by Joachim Trier and Sweden’s Ravens [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Jens Assur
scheda film] by Jens Assur. The final winner of the 2018 Nordic Council Film Prize will be announced on 30 October at the Norwegian Opera House in Oslo. 

Here is the full list of winners:

Norwegian Film Critics’ Award
Border [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Ali Abbasi
scheda film] – Ali Abbasi (Sweden/Denmark)

Ray of Sunshine Award
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir [+leggi anche:
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scheda film] – Ken Scott (France/Italy/Belgium/USA)

FIPRESCI Award
Euthanizer [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Teemu Nikki
scheda film] – Teemu Nikki (Finland)

Andreas Award
The Children Act [+leggi anche:
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scheda film] – Richard Eyre (UK/USA)

Audience Award
Capernaum [+leggi anche:
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scheda film] – Nadine Labaki (Lebanon/France)