A Prophet leads European Film Award nominations
Story by Jack Foley
JACQUES Audiard’s tough prison drama A Prophet has landed six nominations at this year’s European Film Awards, Europe’s equivalent of the Oscars.
The film, which also took the top award at the recent London Film Festival, landed nods for best picture, director, actor (Tahar Rahim), screenwriter (Audiard and Thomas Bidegain) and photographer (Stephane Fontaine).
It’s also France’s entry for the Oscars and winner of Cannes’ 2009 Grand Prix.
The film follows the story of an illiterate young Arab-Corsican man who is sentenced to six years in prison, during which he works his way up through the ranks and secretly lays down plans for a life outside prison.
Britain in line for prizes
UK filmmaking talent is also reflected in the nominations shortlist, with Danny Boyle’s eight-time Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire having landed five nominations.
Andrea Arnold’s Fish Tank, which won the Cannes’ Jury prize, got three nods, as did Stephen Daldry’s Oscar winner, The Reader.
Another Cannes winner, Michael Haneke’s Palme d’Or recipient, The White Ribbon picked up nominations for best film as well as best director, screenwriter (Haneke) and photographer (Christian Berger).
Pedro Almodovar’s Broken Embraces and Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist both bagged nominations for their directors and lead actresses… Penelope Cruz and Charlotte Gainsbourg, respectively.
The winners of the 22th European Film Awards will be announced on December 12 in Bochum, Germany.
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