The film, which is this year’s German foreign-language Oscar submission, tells the story of a Turkish woman trying to make a new life in Berlin after escaping an abusive husband in Istanbul. WHEN WE LEAVE will open in New York and Los Angeles on January 28, 2011. A national release will follow.
The European Parliament’s president Jerzy Buzek presented the award to Aladag at a special ceremony today, November 24th. Feo Aladag is the first female director to be shortlisted since the award began in 2007. Upon receiving the LUX Prize, Feo Aladag said: “This award makes me unbelievably happy because it recognizes what was so important to me from the very beginning – not just telling a universal story, but making a film that touches people’s hearts, makes them think and- with a little luck- can perhaps encourage change on a global political level.”
Since its release in Germany in early 2010, WHEN WE LEAVE has screened at 60 international festivals, in 34 countries, on six continents. It has won over 20 German and international awards, among others, two German Film Awards and the award for Best Film and Best Actress at the Tribeca Film Festival. WHEN WE LEAVE has also been nominated by the members of the European Film Academy for the 2010 European Film Awards taking place in Tallinn next week: in the European Discovery category (EUROPEAN DISCOVERY – Prix FIPRESCI) and Sibel Kekilli in the Best Actress category.
The LUX Prize is awarded to films that illustrate the founding values of European identity, explore cultural diversity or contribute insights to the EU integration debate.