European Film Awards

1998

Introduction

1998: 11th European Film Awards

An Italian Wins in London: Happiful I am very much!

The 11th European Film Awards saw the event travel again – from Berlin, seat of the European Film Academy, to London’s Old Vic Theatre where it brought together the likes of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar and actor Javier Bardem, British director Ken Loach, his German colleague Tom Tykwer, and many more. Moderated by English comedian Mel Smith and French actress Carole Bouquet, the ceremony unexpectedly took on a distinctly Italian flavour with Roberto Benigni storming onstage to accept the award for European Actor 1998. Presented by French actress Anouk Aimée and her English colleague David Suchet, the Italian received the award for his tragicomedy LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. Laughing and hugging the presenters, he exclaimed «I am amusing myself very much» and expressed his happiness by suggesting to the audience: «Why don’t we all sleep together tonight?», taking the audience by storm and leaving Mel Smith with little to say other than: «What an extraordinarily quiet and introverted man!»

Receiving the European Critic’s Award – Prix FIPRESCI from British actor Jeremy Irons and Derek Malcolm of FIPRESCI (the international federation of film critics), the next award recipient was Goran Paskaljevic. Honoured for his film THE POWDER KEG, he pointed out that although he wasn’t Benigni, he was still very happy.

Further awards went to Peter Howitt, European Screenwriter for SLIDING DOORS, Adrian Biddle, European Cinematographer for THE BUTCHER BOY, and Claudio Pazienza, European Documentary Award – Prix ARTE, as well as the film THE TRUMAN SHOW which received the Screen International Award for a non-European film.

Another highlight came when Italian actress Asia Argento and her French colleague Guillaume Canet presented the award European Actress 1998. The prize went to Elodie Bouchez and Natacha Regnier for THE DREAM LIFE OF ANGELS and the two young actresses brought to the stage a natural happiness.

The first honorary award of the evening went to Swedish actor Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd for AMISTAD and GOOD WILL HUNTING. On stage to present the award were Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta and English actor Jason Flemyng. SkarsgÃ¥rd thanked the Academy and said that although this kind of award had the taste of the end of a career to it he’d try to continue living and working for a while.

This was also the first time the European Film Academy presented an award for best short film. Portuguese actress Maria de Medeiros and her Greek colleague Stelios Mainas announced that the award went to the film UN JOUR by Marie Pacou from France.

The EFA’s newcomer prize, the European Discovery – Fassbinder Award, went ex aequo to Thomas Vinterberg for THE CELEBRATION and to Erick Zonca for THE DREAM LIFE OF ANGELS. The French director said he was «very happy to share this award» with the Danish film while his Danish colleague thanked the Dogma 95 group.

Another highlight came with the presentation of the European Film Academy Special Achievement Award to Jeremy Irons. He received the honour from the hands of Austrian actress Senta Berger and her Italian colleague Enrico LoVerso and explained that he worked for «that magic sound when a group of people work well together, a sort of hum.»

The evening reached its climax with Roberto Benigni receiving another award, European Film 1998 for his tragicomedy LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. Seeing him bounce around the stage, kissing and hugging everybody and happily shouting obscenities which nobody seemed to mind left you wishing you were at least slightly more Italian. And happiful.

1998: 11th European Film Awards

An Italian Wins in London: Happiful I am very much!

The 11th European Film Awards saw the event travel again – from Berlin, seat of the European Film Academy, to London’s Old Vic Theatre where it brought together the likes of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar and actor Javier Bardem, British director Ken Loach, his German colleague Tom Tykwer, and many more. Moderated by English comedian Mel Smith and French actress Carole Bouquet, the ceremony unexpectedly took on a distinctly Italian flavour with Roberto Benigni storming onstage to accept the award for European Actor 1998. Presented by French actress Anouk Aimée and her English colleague David Suchet, the Italian received the award for his tragicomedy LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. Laughing and hugging the presenters, he exclaimed «I am amusing myself very much» and expressed his happiness by suggesting to the audience: «Why don’t we all sleep together tonight?», taking the audience by storm and leaving Mel Smith with little to say other than: «What an extraordinarily quiet and introverted man!»

Receiving the European Critic’s Award – Prix FIPRESCI from British actor Jeremy Irons and Derek Malcolm of FIPRESCI (the international federation of film critics), the next award recipient was Goran Paskaljevic. Honoured for his film THE POWDER KEG, he pointed out that although he wasn’t Benigni, he was still very happy.

Further awards went to Peter Howitt, European Screenwriter for SLIDING DOORS, Adrian Biddle, European Cinematographer for THE BUTCHER BOY, and Claudio Pazienza, European Documentary Award – Prix ARTE, as well as the film THE TRUMAN SHOW which received the Screen International Award for a non-European film.

Another highlight came when Italian actress Asia Argento and her French colleague Guillaume Canet presented the award European Actress 1998. The prize went to Elodie Bouchez and Natacha Regnier for THE DREAM LIFE OF ANGELS and the two young actresses brought to the stage a natural happiness.

The first honorary award of the evening went to Swedish actor Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd for AMISTAD and GOOD WILL HUNTING. On stage to present the award were Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta and English actor Jason Flemyng. SkarsgÃ¥rd thanked the Academy and said that although this kind of award had the taste of the end of a career to it he’d try to continue living and working for a while.

This was also the first time the European Film Academy presented an award for best short film. Portuguese actress Maria de Medeiros and her Greek colleague Stelios Mainas announced that the award went to the film UN JOUR by Marie Pacou from France.

The EFA’s newcomer prize, the European Discovery – Fassbinder Award, went ex aequo to Thomas Vinterberg for THE CELEBRATION and to Erick Zonca for THE DREAM LIFE OF ANGELS. The French director said he was «very happy to share this award» with the Danish film while his Danish colleague thanked the Dogma 95 group.

Another highlight came with the presentation of the European Film Academy Special Achievement Award to Jeremy Irons. He received the honour from the hands of Austrian actress Senta Berger and her Italian colleague Enrico LoVerso and explained that he worked for «that magic sound when a group of people work well together, a sort of hum.»

The evening reached its climax with Roberto Benigni receiving another award, European Film 1998 for his tragicomedy LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. Seeing him bounce around the stage, kissing and hugging everybody and happily shouting obscenities which nobody seemed to mind left you wishing you were at least slightly more Italian. And happiful.

Introduction

Life Is Beautiful

European Film 1998

Life Is Beautiful(La Vita è bella)

Italy

Life Is Beautiful

European Actor 1998

Roberto BenigniLife Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella)

Italy

The Dreamlife of Angels

European Actress 1998

Elodie Bouchez, Natacha RegnierThe Dreamlife of Angels (La Vie Rêvée des Anges)

France

Life Is Beautiful

Most awards: 2

Life Is Beautiful(La Vita è bella)

Italy

The Dreamlife of Angels

Most awards: 2

The Dreamlife of Angels(La Vie Rêvée des Anges)

France

LIVE FLESH

Most nominations: 2

LIVE FLESH(Carne Tremula)

Spain, France

The Celebration

Most nominations: 2

The Celebration(Festen)

Denmark

MY NAME IS JOE

Most nominations: 2

MY NAME IS JOE

United Kingdom

LITTLE TONY

Most nominations: 2

LITTLE TONY(Kleine Teun)

Netherlands

European Film

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (La Vita è bella)

Directed by Roberto Benigni

Italy

Elodie Bouchez, Natacha Regnier

European Actress

Elodie Bouchez, Natacha Regnier THE DREAMLIFE OF ANGELS (La Vie Rêvée des Anges)

Roberto Benigni

European Actor

Roberto Benigni LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (La Vita è bella)

Peter Howitt

European Screenwriter

Peter Howitt SLIDING DOORS

European Short Film

ONE DAY (UN JOUR)

Directed by Marie Paccou

France

Stellan Skarsgård

European Achievement in World Cinema

Stellan Skarsgård AMISTAD

Screen International Award (for a non-European film)

THE TRUMAN SHOW

Directed by Peter Weir

USA

Adrian Biddle

European Cinematographer – Prix Carlo Di Palma

Adrian Biddle THE BUTCHER BOY

European Discovery of the Year - Fassbinder Award

THE CELEBRATION (Festen)

Directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Denmark

European Discovery of the Year - Fassbinder Award

THE DREAMLIFE OF ANGELS (La Vie Rêvée des Anges)

Directed by Erick Zonca

France

People's Choice Award

GODZILLA

Directed by Roland Emmerich

USA

European Critic’s Award – Prix Fipresci

THE POWDER KEG (BURE BARUTA )

Directed by Goran Paskaljevic

Yugoslavia, France, North Macedonia, Turkey

European Documentary Award – Prix Arte

TABLEAU AVEC CHUTES

Directed by Claudio Pazienza

Belgium

European Film Academy Special Achievement Award

Jeremy Irons

People’s Choice Awards – Best Actress

Kate Winslet

People's Choice Award - Best European Actor

Antonio Banderas

Categories

European Film

Nominees

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL(La Vita è bella)

Directed by Roberto Benigni

Italy

LIVE FLESH(Carne Tremula)

Directed by Pedro Almodóvar

Spain, France

MY NAME IS JOE

Directed by Ken Loach

United Kingdom

RUN LOLA RUN(Lola rennt)

Directed by Tom Tykwer

Germany

THE BUTCHER BOY

Directed by Neil Jordan

Ireland

THE CELEBRATION(Festen)

Directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Denmark

THE DREAMLIFE OF ANGELS(La Vie Rêvée des Anges)

Directed by Erick Zonca

France

European Actress

Nominees
Elodie Bouchez, Natacha Regnier

Elodie Bouchez, Natacha RegnierTHE DREAMLIFE OF ANGELS (La Vie Rêvée des Anges)

France

Annet Malherbe

Annet MalherbeLITTLE TONY (Kleine Teun)

Netherlands

Dinara Drukarova

Dinara DrukarovaOF FREAKS AND MEN (Про уродов и людей)

Russia

European Actor

Nominees
Roberto Benigni

Roberto BenigniLIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (La Vita è bella)

Italy

Javier Bardem

Javier BardemLIVE FLESH (Carne Tremula)

Spain, France

Peter Mullan

Peter MullanMY NAME IS JOE

United Kingdom

Ulrich Thomsen

Ulrich ThomsenTHE CELEBRATION (Festen)

Denmark

European Screenwriter

Nominees
Peter Howitt

Peter HowittSLIDING DOORS

United Kingdom, USA

Alex Van Warmerdam

Alex Van WarmerdamLITTLE TONY (Kleine Teun)

Netherlands

Jean-Pierre Bacri, Agnès Jaoui

Jean-Pierre Bacri, Agnès JaouiSAME OLD SONG (On Connait la Chanson)

France

Lars von Trier

Lars von TrierTHE IDIOTS (Idioterne)

Denmark

European Short Film

Nominees

ONE DAY(UN JOUR)

Directed by Marie Paccou

France

European Achievement in World Cinema

Nominees
Emma Thompson

Emma ThompsonPRIMARY COLORS

USA

Gérard Depardieu

Gérard DepardieuTHE MAN IN THE IRON MASK

USA

Antonio Banderas

Antonio BanderasTHE MASK OF ZORRO

USA

Kate Winslet

Kate WinsletTITANIC

USA

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce BrosnanTOMORROW NEVER DIES

USA

Screen International Award (for a non-European film)

Nominees

THE TRUMAN SHOW

Directed by Peter Weir

USA

BOOGIE NIGHTS

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

USA

DECONSTRUCTING HARRY

Directed by Woody Allen

USA

MY HOME IS MY CASTLE

Directed by Rob Sitch

Australia

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN

Directed by Steven Spielberg

USA

THE BIG LEBOWSKI

Directed by Joel Coen

USA

European Cinematographer – Prix Carlo Di Palma

Nominees
Adrian Biddle

Adrian BiddleTHE BUTCHER BOY

Ireland

Joseph Vilsmaier

Joseph VilsmaierTHE HARMONISTS (Comedian Harmonists)

Germany

Dany Elsen

Dany ElsenTHE RED DWARF (Le Nain rouge)

Belgium

Feature Film Selection

Nominees
Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

AM I BEAUTIFUL?(¿Bin ich schön?)

Germany

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

APRILE

Italy

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

BUTTONERS(Knoflíkáři)

Czech Republic

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

GYPSY MAGIC

North Macedonia

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

I STAND ALONE(Seul contre tous)

France

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL(La Vita è bella)

Italy

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

LITTLE TONY(Kleine Teun)

Netherlands

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

LIVE FLESH(Carne Tremula)

Spain, France

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

LOVE IS THE DEVIL: STUDY FOR A PORTRAIT OF FRANCIS BACON

United Kingdom

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

MY NAME IS JOE

United Kingdom

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

NOTES OF LOVE(La Parola Amore Esiste)

Italy

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

OF FREAKS AND MEN(Про уродов и людей)

Russia

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

RIVER OF GOLD(O Rio do Ouro)

Portugal

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

ROSIE: THE DEVIL IN MY HEAD

Belgium

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

RUN LOLA RUN(Lola rennt)

Germany

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

SAME OLD SONG(On Connait la Chanson)

France

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

SLIDING DOORS

United Kingdom, USA

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

THE BUTCHER BOY

Ireland

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

THE CELEBRATION(Festen)

Denmark

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

THE DREAMLIFE OF ANGELS(La Vie Rêvée des Anges)

France

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

THE GENERAL

Ireland

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

THE HARMONISTS(Comedian Harmonists)

Germany

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

THE IDIOTS(Idioterne)

Denmark

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

THE RED DWARF(Le Nain rouge)

Belgium

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

TIC TAC

Sweden

Feature Film Selection

Feature Film Selection

TRAINS'N'ROSES(Zugvögel - Einmal nach Inari)

Germany

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