‘The Square’ Sweeps European Film Awards

There was another big event last night besides the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” While everyone was freaking out about porgs (or whatever), the European Film Awards were handed out in Berlin. And one film ruled them all.

Ruben Ostlund‘s comedic takedown of modern art and the ignorance of the bourgeois, “The Square,” swept the ceremony winning Best European Film, Best European Comedy, Best Actor for Claes Bang, and Best Director. Dang. To say the Palme d’Or winner connected is an understatement. The victories didn’t leave much room for anybody else to shine, though Alexandra Borbely won Best European Actress for “On Body And Soul,” while “Loving Vincent” took Best Animated Feature. And we’re always glad to see love for “Lady Macbeth” which won the European Discovery prize.

What effect will this have on the Oscars? Well, it’ll certainly compel voters in the Foreign Film category to give “The Square” another look or finally pop in that screener they’ve been holding off watching.

Full list of winners below.

EUROPEAN FILM
The Square, dir: Ruben Ostlund

EUROPEAN DISCOVERY – PRIX FIPRESCI
Lady Macbeth, dir: William Oldroyd

EUROPEAN COMEDY
The Square, dir: Ruben Ostlund

EUROPEAN ACTRESS
Alexandra Borbely, On Body And Soul

EUROPEAN ACTOR
Claes Bang, The Square

EUROPEAN DOCUMENTARY
Communion, dir: Anna Zamecka

EUROPEAN DIRECTOR
Ruben Ostlund, The Square

EUROPEAN SCREENWRITER
Ruben Ostlund, The Square

EUROPEAN ANIMATED FEATURE
Loving Vincent, dirs: Dorota Kobiela & Hugh Welchman

EUROPEAN SHORT FILM
Timecode, dir: Juanjo Gimenez

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
EUROPEAN CINEMATOGRAPHER
Michail Krichman, Loveless

EUROPEAN COMPOSER
Evgueni & Sacha Galperine, Loveless

EUROPEAN EDITOR
Robin Campillo, BPM

EUROPEAN PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Josefin Åsberg, The Square

EUROPEAN COSTUME DESIGNER
Katarzyna Lewińska, Spoor

EUROPEAN HAIR & MAKE-UP ARTIST
Leendert van Nimwegen, Brimstone

EUROPEAN SOUND DESIGNER
Oriol Tarragó, A Monster Calls

EUROPEAN CO-PRODUCTION AWARD
Cedomir Kolar

EUROPEAN ACHIEVEMENT IN WORLD CINEMA
Julie Delpy

EFA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Aleksandr Sokurov

EFA PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Stefan Zweig – Farewell To Europe, dir: Maria Schrader