German Film Prize
German Film Prize 2007
The Lola awards from the German Film Academy -- and over 2.8 million euros ($3.8 million) in prize money -- were presented at the third annual German Film Awards in Berlin with top honors going to "Vier Minuten" ("Four Minutes"). The Lola carries the largest monetary endowment of any cultural prize in Germany and was awarded in 15 categories. The competition for the coveted trophy was especially tight this year. Click to see who was nominated for Best Film, Best Actress and Best Actor.
Emma's Bliss
Emma (Jördis Triebel) lives alone on her family's debt-ridden pig farm. Until she meets Max (Jürgen Vogel), who has just found out he doesn't have much longer to live. Together, the two discover that happiness can sometimes be found just around the corner.
The Counterfeiters
Towards the end of the World War II, the Nazis decided to launch of the biggest money counterfeiting operations of all time by printing fake bills in their opponents' currency. "The Counterfeiters," directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, tells the story of concentration camp prisoners who were offered a chance to live in exchange for joining in the economic warfare -- and comprising their own conscience.
Perfume
Born without a scent of his own, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw) develops an extraordinary sense of smell and learns the art of making perfume. He becomes possessed with discovering a way to preserve the human scent and creates the ultimate perfume, which drives him to murder. "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer," directed by Tom Tykwer, was the most successful blockbuster film in Germany in 2006.
Four Minutes
Pianist Traude Krüger (Monica Bleibtreu) is a piano teacher in a women's prison. Her remarkable young student Jenny (Hannah Herzsprung), who is serving time for murder, proves to be a musical prodigy and eventually decides to prepare for a significant piano competition. "Four Minutes" won the Lola for Best Film.
Grave Decisions
The 11-year-old Sebastian, who lives in a small Bavarian village with his father, discovers that his mother died during childbirth -- not in an accident, as he had been told. Terrified that he'll be eternally punished for his mother's death, Sebastian tries everything he can to cleanse away his sins and is guided by heavenly signs from his mother to help him on his quest.
Winter Journey
Not the typical film about a case of depression, Franz Brenninger (Josef Bierbichler) is a small-business owner who has been driven into bankruptcy by bigger international competitors. In a desperate attempt to improve his bottom line he gets into business with Kenyan gangsters.
Monica Bleibtreu
Monica Bleibtreu, born in Vienna in 1944, is an Austrian stage and film actress. She is also active as a screenplay writer and lecturer. Her son Moritz Bleibtreu is also a well known actor. Monica Bleibtreu was nominated for a Lola for her role in "Four Minutes" and won the award for Best Actress.
Hannah Herzsprung
Hannah Herzsprung, born in 1981, is an up-and-coming German actress. She was nominated for two awards. Once for Best Actress in "Four Minutes" and again for Best Supporting Actress in "Life Actually." She won the award for Best Supporting Actress.
Jördis Triebel
Jördis Triebel has acted extensively in theater and television productions. The 30-year-old actress from Berlin was up for a Lola thanks to her performance in "Emma's Happiness."
Josef Bierbichler
Born in 1948 in southern Bavaria, Josef Bierbichler has been acting for over 30 years. He won Best Actor honors for his role in "Winter Journey."
Karl Markovics
Born in 1963 in Vienna, Karl Markovics is known for playing a detective in an Austrian television crime series. He was nominated for his role in "The Counterfeiters."
Jürgen Vogel
Jürgen Vogel, born in 1968 in Hamburg, is a German actor and singer. He was nominated for his role in "The Free Will," which was already a prize-winner this year at the Germany's Berlinale and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.