The stage was set, but not for the usual discussions and debates.
The European Parliament has hosted the tenth edition of the LUX Prize for films helping the continent reflect on its future.
Three movies made it to the final in 2016.
Politician and president of the Strasbourg body, Martin Schulz, announced the winner, with the accolade going to ‘Toni Erdmann’. The German-Austrian-Romanian co-production explores a complex father-daughter relationship, against a contemporary corporate background.
Producer Maren Ade collected the award.
“Thank you for the Lux award, for helping to cross language barriers and bringing our film to so many countries. Thank you,” she said.
Members of the European Parliament decide the winner each year. The other two films on the shortlist were ‘As I Open My Eyes’ (France, Tunisia, Belgium, United Arab Emirates) and ‘My Life as a Courgette’ (Switzerland, France).
The European Parliament pays the cost of translating and subtitling each of the films on the final shortlist into the bloc’s 24 languages.
As the winning film, ‘Toni Erdmann’ will also be adapted for the visually and hearing impaired and will receive support to help promote it internationally.
