The excellent year for homegrown film continues, with British-made films among the winners at this year's Stockholm International Film Festival.
Paddy Considine's Tyrannosaur - which has been picking up awards ever since its Sundance premiere - was named the best directorial debut and picked up a special mention for lead actress Olivia Coleman, while the FIPRESCI jury named Thomas Alfredson's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy the best film.
The Bronze Horse for best film went to Oslo, August 31st by Joachim Trier.
Awarding the prize to his portrait of a man on the last day of a drug rehab programme, the jury said: "In this film we get to know the man who had all possibilities in a fantastic world, but failed to do anything with it.
"It is an uncomfortably honest character; both to himself and the world around him. Clever dialogue with an underlying tone of humour, breathtaking cinematography and truthful acting makes this film a perfect portrait of the director’s generation."
The film's DP Jakob Ihre also picked up the award for best cinematography.
Speaking about Considine's debut - which concerns the relationship that develops between a victim of domestic abuse and a man with anger issues - the jury said: "The fantastic acting performances in this film takes us into a raw and painful reality where rage meets vulnerability and together they try to find calm and reconciliation. The director shows a mature and skilful storytelling which makes us want to see more from him."
The full list of awards and jury comments is below
Best film: Oslo, August 31st by Joachim Trier
Motivation of the jury: In this film we get to know the man who had all possibilities in a fantastic world, but failed to do anything with it. It is an uncomfortably honest character; both to himself and the world around him. Clever dialogue with an underlying tone of humour, breathtaking cinematography and truthful acting makes this film a perfect portrait of the director’s generation.
Best directorial debut: Paddy Considine for Tyrannosaur
Motivation of the jury: The fantastic acting performances in this film takes us into a raw and painful reality where rage meets vulnerability and together they try to find calm and reconciliation. The director shows a mature and skilful storytelling which makes us want to see more from him.
Best script: Nadine Labaki, Thomas Bidegain, Jihad Hojeily, Rodney Al Haddi for Et Maintenant, On Va Où? (Where Do We Go Now?)
Motivation of the jury: This film succeeds to, in an unsentimental way engage us in the fate of these characters and the consequences of living with differences. The film makes us laugh, cry and in a humorous way ask ourselves ”Would war exist if women ruled the world?”
Best actress: Yohanna Idha for her role as Linda in Certain People
Motivation of the jury: For a touching and compelling portrayal of a rampant and somewhat naive woman, who, in the course of one night becomes a target for mockery by a party of hipsters with unfulfilled ambitions and broken dreams. This actress manages to deliver even the most awkward banalities, with a perfect balance of sincerity and comical timing, and thereby never letting her character become a victim.
Best actor: Sergei Boriskov for his role as Andrei in Twilight Portrait
Motivation of the jury: We would like to honour a man who through his performance manage to visualize the darkest rooms of his society. With help from a fantastic director he lifts the realistic acting to a new dimension.
Best cinematography: Jakob Ihre for Oslo, August 31st
Motivation of the jury: From the first frame to the last, the cinematography captures both the agony of the main character and the ongoing world around him with an impressive attendance. The camera does not perform any tricks, instead the imagery is intimate and atmospheric. This film is both distinctly and sensitively filmed at the same time.
Best music award: Khaled Mouzannar for Et Maintenant, On Va Où? (Where Do We Go Now?)
Motivation of the jury: As the film over all the strength in the music is its ability to with a stable hand combine entertainment with content, the easy accessible with the heavy questions and drama with musical.
Special mention: Actress Olivia Colman for her role as Hannah in Tyrannosaur
Motivation of the jury: For an outstanding performance as a woman who overcomes her troubles and tries to find good, even in the darkest corners of human behaviour.
Special Mention: Director Julia Leigh for Sleeping Beauty
Motivation of the jury: For its ability to provoke and at the same time start an intellectual discussion about the things that it hurts to talk about.
Best short film: Beast by Attila
Motivation of the jury: With an exquisite use of wide shots, this film takes us to an environment of modern-day slavery seldom exposed in fiction. It's a brutal portrayal of a patriarch falling a part, and leaves the audience with the lingering question: who is the beast - the slave or his master?
Best film selected by the FIPRESCI-jury: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by Tomas Alfredson
Motivation of the jury: The director is highly proving his great talent in making a political thriller which richness is fulfilled by the excellent cast and the visual perfection.
