Ewan McGregor starrer ‘Mom, Sofa,’ Oona Airola win at Goteborg

Niclas Larsson’s “Mom, Sofa” was awarded the Dragon Award for Greatest Nordic Movie at Goteborg, taking dwelling the appreciable quantity of SEK 400,000 ($38,000).

Led by Ewan McGregor – this yr’s recipient of the Honorary Dragon Award – the U.S.-Swedish-Danish co-production additionally options Ellen Burstyn and “Bones and All” breakout Taylor Russell, making it one of many starriest Goteborg winners lately.

Jurors Lena Endre, Ramata-Toulaye Sy, William Spetz, Tonia Noyabrova and Anna Novion appreciated the best way it reveals “how troublesome it’s to let go of the previous, settle for loss and eventually embrace the long run.” They praised “unique and daring storytelling, with quite a lot of humor,” in addition to the usage of “artistic cinematography.”

Within the movie, bought by Charades and primarily based on Jerker Virdborg’s novella, three siblings discover themselves in a small furnishings store in the course of nowhere. The issue is, as soon as inside, their mom refuses to go away the sofa, leaving them stranded and annoyed.

Earlier this week, opening up about his profession, McGregor additionally talked concerning the “superbly directed” movie.

“I used to be despatched the script, out of the blue, and was completely spellbound by it. I simply needed to do it. It’s not daily and never each script that makes you’re feeling this manner. It was courageous, the best way [Niclas] solid the movie and the best way he shot it. He wasn’t swayed by all these enterprise individuals who inform you how issues must be performed. I admired it and I nonetheless admire it now.”

The Dragon Award for Greatest Appearing went to Oona Airola for Miia Tervo’s “The Missile,” persevering with Finnish actors’ fortunate streak on the fest. Final yr, Alma Pöysti was seen for “4 Little Adults” – which additionally featured Airola – kick-starting an eventful yr that culminated in a Golden Globe nomination for “Fallen Leaves.”

The Missile
Credit score: Sami Kuokkanen

Up to now, Airola drew reward for her work in Juho Kuosmanen’s “The Happiest Day within the Lifetime of Olli Mäki,” awarded at Cannes, and “Land of Hope.” She additionally appeared within the Sundance premiere “Lady Image.”

“Her character is caught between previous and future love, a messy household you wish to transfer in with and a missile. Because of this lovely efficiency, we’re caught there proper together with her,” stated the jurors.

On the documentary entrance, Sundance revelation “Ibelin” by Benjamin Ree proved unbeatable, whereas “Fifteen Zero Three Nineteenth of January Two Thousand Sixteen” by Marius Dybwad Brandrud and Petra Bauer, and Suvi West and Anssi Kömi’s “Homecoming” picked up particular mentions.

The Sven Nykvist Cinematography Award went to Juan Sarmiento G. for “Madame Luna.” Nikolaj Arcel’s “The Promised Land” achieved the double whammy of convincing each critics and the general public, strolling off with Fipresci and viewers awards

“It was a robust version and I’m very proud of it,” pageant director Jonas Holmberg tells Selection. It additionally marked Holmberg’s final outing within the function, with Pia Lundberg already tapped as his successor.

“In case you have a look at this yr’s Nordic choice, there may be selection. Typically, there’s a preconception that Nordic cinema is bleak, that there’s at all times some man operating round within the woods. However we had zombies, we had science fiction, comedy and historic epics. And one factor may be very apparent: That is at all times a showcase for unimaginable appearing.”

Sprawling interval dramas did make a triumphant comeback this yr, as exemplified by “The Promised Land,” Finland’s “Stormskerry Maja” and Nils Gaup’s “The Riot.”

“There’s this second in Nordic tradition when so many individuals are wanting again at historical past and reevaluating it. Lately we now have been speaking about our colonial previous, too, and so many filmmakers are on the lookout for up to date views each on a small and on an even bigger scale.”

Ibelin

Goteborg intends to be a spot the place younger and “tremendous nervous” filmmakers can safely co-exist with the largest stars, he says.

“You need them each to really feel welcomed. In relation to Alicia Vikander, for instance, she is working with us lots on the Alicia Vikander Movie Lab. She is a giant star, certain, nevertheless it’s a distinct relationship as a result of we even have a mission collectively. It’s truly one among our objectives: to encourage younger folks to inform their tales.”

Holmberg additionally mirrored on his legacy on the fest.

“I’m not dying! I’m solely 41 years outdated, you realize,” he laughs.

“It’s not nearly creating ‘protected area,’ as a result of there must be this component of threat. I’ve been working right here for 10 years and cinema has modified a lot. It’s not the identical world. It has been so fascinating, attempting to determine all of it out.”

He provides: “It’s very straightforward to grow to be too conservative. All of us love theatrical expertise and we wish to protect it, however you may’t cease time. You gained’t win this battle. Nonetheless, when Thierry Frémaux talked to Ruben Östlund in the course of the pageant, he stated that in relation to cinema, the true ‘unique’ is just not the movie itself – it’s the screening. That’s what movie festivals are about, too: About creating unique and distinctive conditions. It’s troublesome, nevertheless it’s attainable.”

Full Listing of Awards:

Dragon Award Greatest Nordic Movie: “Mom, Sofa,” directed by Niclas Larsson

Dragon Award Greatest Appearing: Oona Airola for Miia Tervo’s “The Missile”

Dragon Award Greatest Nordic Documentary: “Ibelin,” directed by Benjamin Ree

Particular Point out: “Fifteen Zero Three Nineteenth of January Two Thousand Sixteen,” directed by Marius Dybwad Brandrud and Petra Bauer

Particular Point out: “Homecoming,” directed by Suvi West and Anssi Kömi

The Sven Nykvist Cinematography Award: Juan Sarmiento G. for “Madame Luna”

Fipresci Award: “The Promised Land,” directed by Nikolaj Arcel

Viewers Dragon Award: “The Promised Land”

The Ingmar Bergman Worldwide Debut Award: “Me, Maryam, The Kids and 26 Others,” directed by Farshad Hashemi

Dragon Award Greatest Worldwide Movie: “There’s Nonetheless Tomorrow,” directed by Paola Cortellesi

Draken Movie Award: “2008 Loves You,” directed by Nellie Lexfors