The Nordic Council Film Prize 2013 goes to director Thomas Vinterberg, co-scriptwriter Tobias Lindholm and producers Morten Kaufmann and Sisse Graum Jørgensen their film "The Hunt". The film is Denmark's entry for the foreign-language Oscar. The trio Vinterberg, Lindholm and Kaufmann were also behind "Submarino" that took home the award in 2010.
The prize was presented by last year's winner, Ruben Östlund ("Play") on Wednesday, 30 October, at the Nordic Council's Session in Oslo.
Morten Kaufmann, Tobias Lindholm and Sisse Graum Jørgensen receiving the award in Oslo. Photo: Magnus Froderberg/norden.org
The prize committee's motivation:
"In Thomas Vinterberg's 'The Hunt', a man is wrongfully accused of child abuse. At first glance it is a straightforward tale that could have been told in ancient Greece as well as in Hollywood. But beneath the seemingly simple surface lie many complex themes, forcing the audience to discuss and analyse what they see. Through the allegory of 'the hunt', Vinterberg's film explores how the individual can be persecuted even in a well-meaning and well-functioning society, when it suddenly turns on one of its own. This remarkable story is carried by Mads Mikkelsen's powerful performance, the striking score and haunting and beautiful imagery."
Also nominated for the 2013 award: "Open Up To Me" (dir. Simo Halinen, Finland), "The Deep" (dir. Baltasar Kormákur, Iceland), "I Belong" (dir. Dag Johan Haugerud, Norway), and "Eat Sleep Die" (dir. Gabriela Pichler, Sweden).
The Hunt
The 40-year-old divorced father, Lucas, is just about to be reunited with his son when he is accused of a crime he did not commit; and now a witch hunt starts in a small surburban town in Denmark. How long will he be able to endure it when his friends and his girlfriend also begins to doubt his innocence..