Even Norway’s super-busy prime minister took time away from high-level foreign policy drama to send congratulations to the casts and crews behind Norwegian films on Thursday. They made history in the country after winning 11 Oscar nominations at the upcoming Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
“This is a big day for Norwegian film,” declared Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who was at the World Economic Forum in Davos trying to shield NATO ally Denmark and Norway itself from the threats of US President Donald Trump when the Oscar nominations were announced.
Støre congratulated Norwegian film director Joachim Trier “and the entire team behind Affeksjonsverdi (Sentimental Value)” for snaring nine nominations. He also congratulated the makers of another Norwegian film, Den stygge stesøsteren (The Ugly Stepsister), after being nominated for best hair and make-up, while Norwegian Espen Nordahl is a candidate for an Oscar for best visual effects in the film Sinners, which was nominated in a record 16 categories according to the Norwegian Film Institute.
“An Oscar nomination marks great recognition,” said Støre, “and there’s all reason to be proud of the Norwegian film milieu.” His government minister in charge of culture and equality, Lubna Jaffery, was also delighted. “This is enormous,” Jaffery told news bureau NTB. “What outstanding recognition, and what a fantastic ride these films have been on.”
They’ve also been nominated and won awards at earlier competitions. Most agree the Oscars stand out, and now Sentimental Value has also been nominated for “Best Picture,” the first time a Norwegian film has ever been included in that most revered of all categories.
Sentimental Value’s other nominations include Best International Feature, Best Actress – Renate Reinsve, Best Director – Joachim Trier, Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Stellan Skarsgård, Best Original Screenplay – Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier, and Best Editing – Olivier Bugge Coutté.
The Norwegian feature film The Ugly Stepsister, directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling carried out by Thomas Forsberg and Anne Cathrine Sauerberg.
The 98th Oscars Academy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on March 15.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
