50. Nordic Film Days Lübeck
October 29 – November 2, 2008
www.filmtage.luebeck.de

INTERFILM Church Film Prize

The INTERFILM Jury awards the INTERFILM Church Film Prize to the film

Ping pongkingen / Der Tischtennis-König / The King of Ping Pong
directed by Jens Jonsson, Sweden 2008

The Award carries a prize money of 2500.- €.

Statement of the Jury:
The first full-length feature film by Swedish director Jens Jonsson (born in 1974) is convincing both in form and content, dealing with the “struggle for survival” of a pubescent outsider who surpasses himself in ping-pong.
The director succeeds in representatively reflecting the psychological conditions of a burdened family  by means of camera work, composition and particularly in his use of colours. Rille’s development is striking in its authenticity, all the more so thanks to the characterization of all supporting roles.

The Jury awards a Commendation to the film

Mannen som elsket Yngve / Der Mann, der Yngve liebte / The Man Who Loved Yngve
directed by Stian Kristiansen, Norway 2008

Statement of the Jury:
Concise, precise and contemporary, in short: a success. Born in 1972, the Norwegian director Stian Kristiansen presents his debut, set in 1989, about the coming-out of protagonist Jarle. It deals with the topic in a novel, differentiated and sensitive manner – and with an impressive acting accomplishment  by the entire ensemble.

The members of the jury:

Dr. Thorsten Albrecht,  Art historian, Protestant Church of Hannover, Germany
Rev. Håkan Holmlund, Pastor in Stockholm, Sweden
Antje Peters-Hirt, Director of the “Society for the Promotion of Charitable Activities”, Luebeck (President)
Elina Reitere, Riga Film Museum Manager, Riga, Latvia

Jens Jonsson and Jury President Antje Peters-Hirt at the Award Ceremony