Dogtooth, Sin Nombre and Precious are the big Winners at the 20th edition of the 2009 Stockholm International Film Festival

The jury now presents its selection for the 20th Stockholm International Film Festival. The film that leaves Stockholm with the 16 lb Bronze Horse 2009 comes from Greece, and tells a thought-provoking story that takes us into a nightmarish and metaphorical experiment of manipulation and oppression.



The Bronze Horse for best feature 2009 goes to "Dogtooth" by Yorgos Lanthimos.

This year's festival jury consists of director Björn Stein, producer Olivier Guerpillon, actress Lina Englund, film critic Fionnuala Halligan and singer Maria Andersson.

Below is a complete list of all the winners, along with the jury's motivations.

Best Film "Dogtooth" by Yorgos Lanthimos

The award for Best Film goes to a thought-provoking and engaging film that takes us, with a highly singular film language, into a nightmarish and metaphorical experiment of manipulation and oppression. The award for Best Film goes to the Greek film Kynodontas (Dogtooth) by Yorgos Lanthimos.


Best First Feature "Sin Nombre" by Cory Juji Fukanaga

The award for Best First Feature goes to a sophisticated, mature feature which displays an innate grasp of the language of cinema and a powerful sense of how to best tell its desperately gripping story. Everyone is in peril here, but never the director, who shows a fluid command of all the tools at his disposal. The film takes its protagonists on a long and hazardous journey across a continent and the viewer is with them every step of the way. The award for Best First Feature goes to Sin Nombre by Cary Joji Fukunaga.


Best Actress Mo'Nique for "Precious"

The award for best female performance goes to an actress who exposes the complexity of a woman torn between repulsion and craving. She has with her musicality, timing and emotional intelligence brought self-deception into
the light. The award for best female performance goes to Mo'Nique for her performance in Precious by Lee Daniels.



Best Actor Edgar Flores in "Sin Nombre"

The award for best male performance goes to an actor who portrays both a young man and a very human dilemma in a way that leaves a big impression. His character falls into a void at the heart of today's society but retains a humanity that shines through every scene that he is in - with the minimum of words, because his character is not a talkative guy. We know we will see more of this Honduran-born actor and we look forward to it. The award for Best Actor, goes to Edgar Flores, for his performance in Sin Nombre by Cary Joji Fukunaga.


Best Short Film "Logorama" by François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy, Ludovic Houplain

The award for Best Short Film goes to a highly entertaining joyride through a world of signs that is frighteningly similar to our own over-commercialized society. An innovative and funny film about a dystopia where brands literally come alive. The award for Best Short Film goes to the animated film Logorama by François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy and Ludovic Houplain (H5).

Best Music Krister Linder for "Metropia"

The Jameson Music Award for best original music goes to the composer of a soundtrack that contributes to the creation of a unique mood throughout a film that takes us into a highly singular film world. The Jameson Music Award goes to Krister Linder for the music in Metropia by Tarik Saleh.


Best Screenplay Eran Creevy for "Shifty"

The award for best screenplay goes to a film that employs subtle humor and realism to highlight everyday choices that could lead to catastrophic consequences. It shows that how we deal with awkward, no-win situations may define us as human beings. The Award for best screenplay goes to Eran Creevy for Shifty.


Best Cinematography Christophe Beaucarne for "Mr. Nobody"

The award for Best Cinematography goes to a film whose complex narrative structure is beautifully told. As well as separating the different stories and making them easier to follow, the cinematography also intertwines them, creating a magical and extremely innovative end result which is nothing short of breathtaking and groundbreaking. The award for Best Cinematography goes to Christophe Beaucarne for Mr. Nobody by Jaco van Dormael.

The prize of the FIPRESCI Jury

This year's jury from the international federation of film critics, FIPRESCI, Susanne Schuetz (Germany), Dejan Petrovic (Croatia) and Ann Lind Anderson (Denmark).

Best Film: "Sin Nombre" by Cary Joji Fukanaga

The International Federation of Filmcritics' Prize goes to a multi-layered film with flawless achievements in writing, directing and acting. The jury was moved by its unsentimental tone, its subtle love story and the directors original approach; interweaving diverse and difficult themes were fatalism meets hope. It's a story about the need to belong, the prize of loyalty and the power of transformation. The International Federation of Filmcritics' prize 2009 goes to: Cary Joji Fukunagas film "Sin Nombre".
Honorary Mention
The International Federation of Filmcritics' gives an honorary mention to "Precious" by Lee Daniels for its uncompromising courage to tell a harsh story of abuse, featuring an outstanding performance by Mo'Nique as the mother.




OTHER AWARDS

Telia Film Award
The winner is selected by the viewers and a jury consisting of film journalist Hans Wiklund, actress Moa Gammel and theatre and film director Petra Revenue.

Telia Film Award "Miss Kicki" by Håkon Liu

With a subtle, yet presice emotional and visual language, this movie takes us on an inner and outer journey, describing one of the most complex relationships of all - that between a mother and a son. The Telia Film Award goes to Miss Kicki by Håkon Liu.


Silver Audience Award "The Cove" by Louie Psihoyos

The audience choice for best film 2009 goes to The Cove by Louie Psihoyos.


1 km film 2009 Amanda Kernell, director of "Att dela allt" ("Sharing all")

The laureate of this year's 1km film takes us on an emotional journey of great impact. That this story of pain, told with poignant narrative flow, manages to convey such cinematic beauty shows great promise for the future of this young director, Amanda Kernell - director of "Att dela allt" ("Sharing all").


Honorable mention 1 km film: Jöns Mellgren for "Den Mörka ön" ("the Dark Island")

For his spellbinding narrative, visual flair and ability to bring a rich and darkly intriguing world to life from a single island of cardboard, this year's honorable mention of 1 km film goes to Jöns Mellgren for his film Den mörka ön.

ifestival winner: "Pim, Pam, Pum" by Asier Urbieta and Andoni De Carlos


Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award 2009

Susan Sarandon receives the Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award 2009. The motivation is as follows:

A Doris Day for the counterculture generation, an outlaw heroine punching the gas of a blue '66 Thunderbird, a devout nun who finds a way to be spiritual in a spiritless world - the roles Susan Sarandon has played often gain a life a of their own beyond the films themselves. Reflection, seduction and rebellion animate her characters and seem to be the key tools in her actor's repertoire. As a result, her multifarious portrayals of strong female characters display a perfect blending of the feminine and feministic, making Susan Sarandon an ideal recipient of this year's award.


Stockholm Visionary Award 2009

Luc Besson receives the Stockholm Visionary Award 2009. The motivation is as follows:

Since his debut, Mr Besson has fulfilled the idea of a renaissance man. Making his mark as a writer, director, producer and mogul, Mr Besson has relentlessly explored new worlds and offered us his personal visions from the subway underground and the bottom of the ocean to space and fantastic fairy tales. One can truly say Mr Besson is a visionary film maker and a producer with visions.


L'Oréal Paris Rising Star 2009 - Anastasios Soulis

The selection jury, consisting of representatives from Teaterförbundet, (Swedish Union for Theatre, Artists and Media) the Swedish Film Institute and the organization for Swedish Film- & TV-producers together with Swedish actors Marie Richardson and Gustaf Hammarsten, have the following motivation:

"Anastasios Soulis receives this year's award for his ability to portray, with great emotions and absolute pitch, young people's lives and dreams. During 2009 we have seen this young actor in different productions such as "De halvt dolda" - in which he plays a gruesome youth leader, the prosperous son in law in "The Wedding photographer", as the crime aspiring younger brother in the Johan Falk films as well as starring as the shy friend in "The Princess". We want more and long to see our Rising star shine in leading roles as well as polished supporting roles."

http://www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/

20th Stockholm International Film Festival November 18-29 2009
The Stockholm International Film Festival started in 1990 and is today one of the leading competitive film festival in Europe. The festival takes place every year in November with more than 170 films from more then 40 countries. More than a festival: we organize exclusive screenings and the popular Summer Cinema - an outdoor mini-festival. Every year in April the Stockholm International Film Festival Junior brings the latest films to youngsters between 6 and 16 years of age.