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The European Film Awards, Europe’s counterpart to the Oscars, took place last weekend and Euronews Culture was on the ground to meet and greet the stars on the red carpet.
When interviewing European Film Academy President Juliette Binoche last year, we talked about her goal of humanising – or rehumanising – society through cinema. A lofty ambition but a crucial one in troubled times, when political strife, global conflict and anxieties regarding current events and the rise of AI all seem hellbent on dehumanising us further.
It’s something that stuck with us – how cinema and the theatrical experience can be a beacon in dark times, and how cinema as an artform can not only be a balm, but also a vital tool to remind us of our shared humanity.
We asked the talent in Berlin whether they agreed with Binoche’s statement and if cinema has the capacity to heal and give hope.
Check out the video above to see what the likes of Agnieszka Holland, Vicky Krieps, Mads Mikkelsen, Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve had to say.
This year’s European Film Awards crowned Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value as Best European Film and the Oscar nominations tomorrow should reflect the film’s success at the EFAs – not only limited to the Best International Feature category but also when it comes to the acting nominations. We’re banking on Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård bagging Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor nods. If that were to happen, Skarsgård could make history by becoming the first Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee for an international film.
Elsewhere, we’d be shocked if one of our favourite films of 2025, Óliver Laxe’s Sirāt, didn’t get some love in the Best International Feature, Best Sound and Best Soundtrack categories. If it were up to us, we’d give Laxe a Best Director nod too… But that might be wishful thinking.
Stay tuned to Euronews Culture for our debrief on tomorrow’s Oscar nominations, as well as our exclusive interview with director Óliver Laxe.