Berlin Bear wins for Out Stealing Horses, Stupid Young Heart

The two films were supported by Nordisk Film & TV Fond. The Norwegian film Out Stealing Horses (Ut og stjæle hester) which screened in official competition picked up a Silver Bear for Rasmus Videbæk’s stunning photography. The Danish cinematographer who works across the Nordics, has received numerous accolades in the past including a Nordic Vision Award in Göteborg 2010 for The Good Heart and a Robert Award for A Royal Affair in 2012.

Videbæk said”: “Getting recognition for the cinematography on this movie means a lot to me. Not only is it based on my favourite novel of all time but working with Hans Petter Moland on turning that book into cinema, was such a great experience. Landscapes play an important role in Out Stealing Horses. Hans Petter Moland and I talked a lot about how to photograph these landscapes in a way so that they would become inner landscapes. Abstract, and soulful landscapes like memories. Hans Petter kept pushing for these special images and trusted me in our exploration of the scenes. For me this was a very fulfilling experience,” said the cinematographer.

Out Stealing Horses was produced by Håkon Øverås and Turid Øversveen for 4 ½ Fiksjon. The Norwegian release is set for March 8, 2019. TrustNordisk sold the film in Berlin to Benelux (September Films), Greece (Weird Wave), China (DD Dream) and Estonia (Estin Film), with more deals pending.

Read our interview with Hans Petter Moland: CLICK HERE.

The Finnish film Stupid Young Heart (Hölmö nuori sydän) starring Jere Ristseppä and Rosa Honkonen as two teens who have to deal with grown up problems while far right ideology is spreading in their suburban neighbourhood, conquered the jury of the Generation 14plus sidebar who said: “This film takes up topics that are above all of great relevance for our age group. It examines motivations behind the current political shift towards the right and xenophobia in our society. With its combination of humour, seriousness and emotion, this film tells the story of a romantic relationship between two adolescents who experience little consistency in their lives. The radical coming-of-age of the protagonists is constantly overshadowed by the confrontation with racism and the search for identity.” 

Vilhunen’s second fiction feature written by Kirsikka Saari had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. The film was produced by Tuffi Films. The Yellow Affair handles world sales.

Read our interview with Selma Vilhunen: CLICK HERE. 

Meanwhile the Norwegian short film Dad (Pappa) by Atle S. Blakseth and Einar Dunsæd picked up a Special Mention from the Generation Kplus.

The 69^th Berlinale’s top Golden Bear award went to Israeli director Nadav Lapid’s Synonyms and the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize to the French drama By the Grace of God by François Ozon.