Press
release31.10.2002
Susanna Bier's "Open Hearts" has
been chosen as the official Danish candidate for the 75th Academy Awards ®
2003 Oscar-nominations. The film will compete for a nomination in the
category of Best Foreign Language Film.
Since its release early
September, "Open Hearts", produced by Vibeke Windeløv of Zentropa, has
accomplished one feat after another. The box-office has seen it soaring,
bringing admissions to the half million mark in its ninth week. Critics have
welcomed it, Screen Daily's Mike Goodridge writing "the director reaches
dramatic heights usually only scaled by rare masters."
Furthermore, the high
regard critics have held for Bier's work culminated in a Special Mention,
awarded by the FIPRESCI Jury (International Federation of Film Critics) at
Toronto International Film Festival. The award was given on the grounds
that "Open Hearts" proves that "Dogme has come of age and matured into a
potent cinema language that skillfully captures the freeing of emotions
..."
"Open Hearts" - like
Lone Scherfig's Zentropa produced "Italian for Beginners" - has also been
successful in penetrating the American market where it will open on
the commercial film circuit in the USA on 21 February 2003, an exposure
only a small number of Danish feature films enjoy.
The decision to enter
"Open Hearts" was reached by a committee appointed by the Danish Film
Academy and the Danish Film Institute. The Oscar nominations will be
announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday 11
February 2003. The Academy Awards ® Presentation itself will be held
on Sunday 23 March 2003.
For further
informationAcademy Awards: www.oscars.orgOpen Hearts: www.elskerdigforevigt.dk
Danish Film
InstituteAgnete Dorph Stjernfelt t +45 3374 3505 / agnetes@dfi.dkVicki Synnott t + 45
3374 3438 / vickis@dfi.dk