A Finnish film about illegal immigration has scooped the audience award at the Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF). Aki Kaurismäki’s Le Havre, which premiered in the country on September 9, received the prestigious accolade at the award ceremony on Saturday, October 1.
The picture, which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival, also bagged the prize for best foreign film at the Munich Film Festival this year and is Finland’s submission to the Academy Awards for 2012.
I Miss You, a Finnish-Swedish co-production, and Zaida Bergroth’s The Good Son also featured in the RIFF awards. The main Golden Puffin prize was, however, presented to Russian director Angelina Nikonova for her movie Twilight Portrait.
I’m not surprised it won. Le Havre is a brilliant film with Aki’s trademark deadpan style. I hope it gets an Oscar Nomination.