Photo: Sina Weibo

The main competition jury at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) on Sunday revealed how Norwegian marital drama Lovable emerged as the standout winner of this year's Tiantan Awards, after the film festival concluded on Saturday night.

The film, sweeping four awards - Best Feature, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Screenplay, tells the story of a 40-year-old woman striving to rebuild her life after her marriage ends. It explores complex family dynamics and emotional resilience through a nuanced narrative.

Director Lilja Ingolfsdottir conveyed her excitement over winning the four awards via a video link. She expressed her regret for not being able to attend the BJIFF in person and extended her gratitude to the judges and the film festival for selecting her film for screening.

Helga Guren, the Norwegian actress who enthusiastically accepted the awards on behalf of Ingolfsdottir at the closing ceremony, shared that she received the draft script from Ingolfsdottir seven years ago. 

Photo: Sina Weibo

The Tiantan Award jury, chaired by acclaimed Chinese director Jiang Wen, comprised members from China, Switzerland, Finland, the UK and the US. They lauded the film's bold creativity and emotional authenticity.

During the post-screening event, Jiang emphasized a good film is not necessarily a commercial film, but it definitely needs time to be refined.

He criticized overreliance on "big data-driven filmmaking," urging creators to prioritize genuine storytelling.

"Unlike films from Hollywood, this film [Loveable] didn't try to please everyone, yet it earned respect by staying true to its characters," he said.

Finnish director Teemu Nikki told the Global Times during the event that a film that conveys "universal emotions" can be a masterpiece, regardless of its country of origin. Like Loveable and many other films at this festival, it resonates globally by depicting shared human emotions and stories. 

He mentioned that a great aspect of the jury is its diversity. Despite their different backgrounds, they all love films that convey these universal themes. This proves that such films can truly captivate audiences worldwide.

Hong Kong art director Tim Yip, another jury member, praised the film's layered exploration of mental health and familial bonds. 

"It's a mirror reflecting stories we often shy away from. The collaboration between the director and actors was masterful, creating a cathartic experience," he noted. 

Swiss actor Vincent Pérez echoed this sentiment, highlighting the "rare, heartfelt performances" that forged an instant connection with audiences. 

Chinese actress Ni Ni, representing the jury, shared how the film moved her to tears. 

"The lead actress portrayed vulnerability and strength in a way that felt deeply personal, yet universally relatable. It reminds us that while actors breathe life into stories, it's the director and screenwriter who lay the foundation by understanding humanity's complexities," she reflected.

Like filmmakers, judges are magicians. Their perspectives may not be the same as those of the audience watching the magic, but the mission of a magician is definitely to make the magic of the film better, Jiang added.

The festival screened 15 main competition films, including three from China, with organizers receiving a record 1,794 feature film submissions from 103 countries and regions, marking a 19 percent increase over last year, CCTV reported.