The three films are the finalists for this year’s LUX Prize from the Parliament and are being brought to cinemas across Europe during the LUX Film days from this month until February 2020.
“Cold case Hammarskjöld”, “The realm”, and “God exists, her name Is Petrunya” are very different films, but they have some things in common: they are European and their stories make us think about politics, values, traditions and they challenge our preconceptions.
Discover them during the LUX Film Days from October to February and vote for your favourite.
The LUX Film Days
Film lovers can watch the three contenders during the LUX Film Days at film festivals or cinemas in all EU countries from October 2019 to February 2020. Screenings are planned in more than 50 cities including major film festivals. To make them available to everyone, the European Parliament pays for the subtitling into the EU’s 24 official languages. Check the free-of-charge screenings in your country here.
Vote for your favourite film before 31 January and you have the chance to win a trip to the Karlovy Vary International film festival in the Czech Republic next July to personally announce the winner of the audience mention prize.
Special events
Three simultaneous screenings offer an opportunity to discuss the films with their directors.
The directors will be in Brussels, but you can join in online and send your questions through Twitter and Facebook even from your sofa at home:
- Wednesday 6 November with director Teona Mitevska following the screening of “God exists, her name Is Petrunya”
- Thursday 7 November with director Rodrigo Sorogoyen following the screening of “The realm”
- Friday 8 November with director Mads Brügger following the screening of “Cold case Hammarskjöld’
All of the screenings begin at 8pm CET.
The three films
Cold Case Hammarskjöld by Danish director Mads Brügger
Dag Hammarskjöld died in a suspicious plane crash in 1961 on his way to ceasefire negotiations in order to resolve a conflict in Katanga, Congo, in which significant economic interests were at stake. The Swedish UN Secretary General was a progressive politician who wanted to prevent Western countries such as Britain and France from reinstating their influence in Africa, after colonies had gained independence. Brügger’s slow-building documentary sheds light onto the mystery. This is the third time in the LUX Prize’s history that a documentary is among the three finalists.
God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya by NorthernMacedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska
What happens when a women takes part in a race traditionally reserved for men and manages to get hold of a holy cross that an Orthodox priest throws into a river? Petrunya does precisely that and enrages both the men and the priest, who draws the police into the case. Although not initially a feminist, Petrunya refuses to give in to demands that she return the cross and fights for equal rights. “Why don’t I have the right to a year of good fortune?” she asks referring to the “prize” for the winner of the contest.
The Realm by Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen
How far will someone go to hold on to power? This adrenaline-charged thriller deals with political corruption. It tells the story of the demise of a successful politician and his fiefdom, which had looked destined to last forever. Get ready for bitter arguments, tense car chases and clashes with a probing press.
Selecting the winning film
MEPs choose the winning film. The winner will be announced during the award ceremony on 27 November during the plenary session in Strasbourg.
About the Lux Film Prize
The European Parliament awards the Lux Film Prize every year with the aim of supporting the production and distribution of European films, stimulating reflection on current political and social issues and celebrating European culture.
Follow this news feed: EU