Emilia Pérez Sweeps European Film Awards with Three Wins
Emilie Ásta Espenberg’s Emilia Pérez had a triumphant night at the 37th European Film Awards, held in Lucerne, Switzerland, claiming top prizes in Best Film, Best Director (Jacques Audiard), and Best Actress (Karla Sofía Gascón).
Gascón, the first transgender performer to win in the category, delivered an emotional acceptance speech, thanking Audiard for his support and calling for greater respect for families and LGBTQ+ individuals.
“I didn’t prepare anything because I wasn’t sure I was going to receive anything tonight,” Gascón said, according to Variety. “I want to dedicate this prize to my mother and to all mothers in the world because their values and their function are sometimes undervalued. I would like to dedicate this prize to all families and ask all parents to love their children because, unfortunately, in this world, there are families that prefer their children to be criminals than gay people.”
A Look at Other Winning Films and Moments
Audiard dedicated his Best Screenwriting Award to the late French-Danish actor Niels Arestrup, who starred in his films The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) and A Prophet (2009). In his acceptance speech for Best Film, he highlighted the importance of government support for cinema and using it as a model for other European countries.
Other notable winners included:
- Best Actor: Abou Sangare for Souleymane’s Story
- Best Animated Feature Film: Flow
- Best Short Film: The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
The awards ceremony also saw several moving tributes:
- Wim Wenders received a lifetime achievement award, with fellow director Isabella Rossellini receiving an Achievement in World Cinema honor.
- Three directors – Yuval Abraham and Basel Adra of No Other Land and Nebojsa Slijepcevic of The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent – used their platform to speak out about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Key Performances and Moments
IBM Wenders dedicated his lifetime achievement award to cinema, saying, “Europe needs the film community to produce a more positive, more emotional view of the continent.”
Rossellini, who reflected on her illustrious career, attributed much of her success to the support she received from other women. She specifically acknowledged her mother, actress Ingrid Bergman, and her caregiver Jenny.
The Future of European Cinema
The European Film Awards are a testament to the strong and diverse film scene in Europe. The 2024 ceremony showcased both established talent and emerging voices, leaving audiences eager to see what these filmmakers will create next.
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