Original and Aching Hearts win at Shanghai

Danish cinema received three top awards at Shanghai International Film Festival (13-21 June 2009). Antonio Tublén og Alexander Brøndsted's "Original" won the Jin Jue award for Best Feature Film, while Best Actor Award went to the film's leading actor Sverrir Gudnason. Simone Tang, the lead in Nils Malmros' "Aching Hearts" received Best Actress Award.

Original


Announcing "Original" as the winner, the Jury made the following deliberation: "Using this title for a film is dangerous, almost suicidal. But the film more than met the challenge the title lays down. A light, touching and subversive study of mental illness that is compassionate and never sentimental". Chairing this year's festival jury was British director Danny Boyle, Oscar winner for "Slumdog Millionaire".

"Original" was developed at the Danish Film Institute workshop, and later received support from the Danish Film Institute. The film was produced by Carsten Holst for Zentropa, and will be released in Danish cinemas in autumn this year. Earlier this year "Original" received a warm welcome at Tribeca.

Aching Hearts


Nils Malmros' "Aching Hearts" had a rewarding international premiere after winning a Jin Jue for Best Actress award. The Jury emphasized actress Simone Tang's "control and clarity of complex emotions perfectly captured …"

"Aching Hearts" was produced by Thomas Heinesen for Nordisk Film. Released in Danish cinemas in March 2009, the film performed well at the domestic boxoffice.

TrustNordisk handle international sales for both films. For further information:

Shanghai International Film Festival
http://www.siff.com/

DFI factsheets
Original
Aching Hearts

Article in FILM #65 (Aching Hearts)
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