Simon Lereng Wilmont crowned Best Director at Sundance World Cinema Doc

A House Made of Splinters was produced by Denmark’s production powerhouse Final Cut for Real who also picked up two awards at Sundance 2021 for Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s Flee (Grand Jury Prize) and Camilla Nielsson’s President (Best Director), both shortlisted for this year’s Oscars.

Lereng Wilmont’s second film after the celebrated The Distant Barking of Dogs, captures again the lives of children in war-torn Eastern Ukraine. Set in a special orphanage where kids can stay up to nine months before authorities decide of their fate, the film follows the daily life of a group of kids and the social workers who strive to make the place a safe and even magical place for them.

Sundance’s World Cinema Documentary Competition juror and filmmaker Dawn Porter described Lereng Wilmont’s film as “an astonishing achievement in documentary storytelling.” “With sensitivity, this filmmaker immerses us in an intimate story obscured by a broad political conflict tearing at the fabric of a country. This pristine and highly emotional film embraces the children’s universe within a harsh reality.”

A House Made of Splinters is currently competing at the Göteborg Film Festival for Best Nordic Documentary. The film was backed by Nordisk Film & TV Fond. Cinephil handles world sales.

Denmark was also victorious at Sundance through Sigrid Dyekjær’s recently founded outfit Real Lava, attached to the co-production The Territory by Alex Pritz, awarded the Special Jury Award for Documentary Craft as well as an Audience Award-World Cinema Documentary. The film sheds a light on the plight of the indigenous community in the heart of the Amazon forest-the Uru-eu-wau-wau-fighting for their land and survival.

Meanwhile Finland made history with its first prize ever from Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic section. Alli Haapasalo’s Girl Picture (Tytöt tytöt tytöt) seduced both Sundance’s audiences, and reviews who praised the fresh and authentic portrait of three young teenagers, discovering love, sex and pleasure. “I’m overjoyed! Said Haapasalo. “An award from the audience is extra meaningful to me - it makes me feel directly connected to the people we made this film for. That the themes of the film have resonated with the audience across language barriers and cultural differences is simply wonderful.”

The film produced by Elina Pohjola and Leila Lyytikäinen for Citizen Jane Productions, will next screen in competition at the Berlinale’s 14plus section. The film will be released domestically by Nordisk Film April 14, 2022. LevelK handles world sales.