The new Icelandic comedy Back Soon by director Sólveig Anspach, which premiered in Iceland on August 6, received the Variety Piazza Grande Award at the 61st annual Locarno film festival in Switzerland yesterday.
“It was a surprise to all of us, but is of course fantastic and a great honor,” the director’s assistant, Mireya Samper told Fréttabladid.
The jury concluded that Back Soon (Icelandic title: Skrapp út) had artistic value and a strong appeal to the public. This particular prize, named after Variety magazine, is being granted for the first time this year.
Back Soon, which is produced by Zik Zak and Ex Nihilo, was screened open-air at the Piazza Grande in Locarno, seating 8,500 viewers.
Samper said the atmosphere had been indescribable. “There had been a lot of rain the previous days, but as soon as Back Soon was shown, the rain stopped.”
According to Samper, the film received considerable attention and has been invited to a number of film festivals. “I hope this will make Icelanders crowd the cinemas to watch this award-winning movie.”
