'Toni Erdmann' wins EU's Lux Film Prize

German tragicomedy "Toni Erdmann" has been awarded the Lux Film Prize by the European Parliament, a honor intended to highlight the diversity of European cinema.

The film, by director Maren Ade (photo, center), beat out the two other finalists, "À peine j'ouvre les yeux" ("As I Open My Eyes") and "Ma vie de courgette" ("My Life as a Courgette"). A critics' favorite, "Toni Erdmann" has also been selected to represent Germany at the Academy Awards in February.

Speaking at the ceremony in Strasbourg on Wednesday, Ade said it meant a lot to receive "a prize given by people who come from so many different cultures."

"Toni Erdmann," which stars Peter Simonischek and Sandra Hüller, tells the story of a father who reunites with his radically different daughter in Bucharest in an attempt to overcome their complicated relationship.

The film, along with the two other finalists, will be shown in more than 50 European cities from November until January. All three films will receive EU funding to be translated into the EU's 24 official languages.

'Diversity and richness of European cinema'

The prize, awarded by the EU since 2007 and voted on by members of the European Parliament, is intended to "allow as many European citizens as possible to benefit from the diversity and richness of European cinema." It aims to help European films reach a wider audience and stimulate "debate and reflection on Europe and its future."

Past winners have included "Mustang" (Turkey, 2015), "The Broken Circle Breakdown," (Belgium, 2013), "Welcome" (France, 2009) and the 2007 German film "Auf der anderen Seite" ("The Edge of Heaven").

cmk/eg (dpa, luxprize.eu)