Sometimes there are cinema scenes that you can't get out of your memory. The satire "Triangle of Sadness" shows long shots of rich people throwing up on a cruise ship. At the European Film Awards ceremony, the production has now won four awards - more than any other film. Director Ruben Östlund expressed his thanks on Saturday evening in Reykjavik, Iceland.

When accepting the director's award, the 48-year-old said he wanted to dedicate the award to actress Charlbi Dean. She plays a modeling influencer in the film. Dean died unexpectedly in the summer at the age of 32.

The film "Triangle of Sadness" tells the story of a luxury cruise that ends differently than expected. The story takes a critical look at capitalism and modern society. And she asks how capable many people would be of surviving if they suddenly had to do without their previous privileges. The film has already won the Palme d'Or in Cannes this year.

The European Film Academy has now honored the production as the best film. There were also prizes for director, screenplay and actor Zlatko Burić. The award for best actress went to Vicky Krieps. The Luxembourger was honored for her role in "Corsage" - in the film by Austrian director Marie Kreutzer she plays Empress Elisabeth, also known as Sisi.

Krieps was connected via video. When her name was announced, the 39-year-old briefly touched her forehead and the cap she was wearing under a hoodie. She said she doesn't have a good relationship with awards. "I want to dedicate this to all the women around the world who need to be seen and heard, who need to break free and heal from these deep, deep wounds that we've had for generations." They would have to heal so that men and women could come together again.

The time for women has only just begun

The Cologne actress Meltem Kaptan, who was also nominated, went away empty-handed like other candidates. Director Margarethe von Trotta ("Hannah Arendt") was honored for her life's work. Guests stood up in the hall and applauded the German filmmaker. The 80-year-old reminded that only two directors had received this award before her. She thinks the age of women has only just begun.

The European Film Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the industry. The approximately 4,400 members of the film academy were able to vote on award winners in some categories, similar to the Oscars in the USA.

The award for the best documentary went to "Mariupolis 2" by Mantas Kvedaravičius. According to the academy, the Lithuanian filmmaker returned to Ukraine after the outbreak of the Russian war of aggression, was captured and killed. In Iceland, his daughter accepted the award. She said how proud she was of him. Film producers in Ukraine were honored in another category.

Relaxed presenter duo

The European Film Prize is usually awarded alternately in Berlin and another European city. The hosts in Iceland were often self-deprecating during the three-hour ceremony. The presenter duo joked how difficult it was to pronounce Icelandic names or that you should take your time with the acceptance speech. Who needs after-show parties? Her tip on how nominees should behave if they lose: "Don't swear! There are cameras nearby and people can read lips."

Two prizes for "Nothing New in the West"

"The Perfect Boss" with actor Javier Bardem was honored as best comedy, even if the film team noted that the film was more of a drama. Some winners had already been determined in advance - the film team from "Nothing New in the West" won two awards, for the visual effects and the make-up. The film, which is supposed to be in the running for the foreign Oscar for Germany, was not nominated in the main categories.

The Italian Marco Bellocchio ("Exterior Night") was honored for innovative storytelling, the Palestinian director Elia Suleiman ("Watering the Lemon Tree") for his services to world cinema. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, sent a video - her European Green Deal program received a sustainability award.

For Ruben Östlund it was not the first European film award. The Swede had already cleared 2017 with "The Square". In it he took a critical look at the art world and received even more awards for it. His current film "Triangle of Sadness" has been in cinemas in Germany since October.