Langlo’s North a “standout winner” at Tribeca

Photo front page: Director Rune Denstad Langlo and actor Anders Baasmo Christiansen with Robert De Niro (photo: Erland Haugen/Norwegian Consulate General, New York)

Norwegian director Rune Denstad Langlo received last night (1 May) the $25,000 cash prize for Best New Narrative Filmmaker at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival, where the jury of – among others – actors Meg Ryan, Uma Thurman and director Todd Haynes praised his “mastery of comedic direction”

“His consummate vision, strong grasp of story and command of the language of cinema make him a standout amidst a strong pool of candidates,” was the jury’s explanation for awarding his feature debut, North (Nord).

Scripted by Erland Loe, and produced by Sigve Endresen and Brede Hovland for Motlys, the film was represented in New York by Langlo and Norwegian actor Anders Baasmo Christiansen, who performs in the lead as a former athlete returning to reality after a mental breakdown.

Also selected for festivals in Jeonju (South Korea), Seattle (USA) and Valencia (Spain), North has previously bagged the Breaking the Waves top prize at Budapest’s Titanic Film Festival as well as the FIPRESCI award and a shared Europa Cinemas Label at the Berlinale.