The Danish film The Girl with the Needle (Pigen med nålen) has been nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best International Feature Film. The black-and-white drama tells the harrowing story of Denmark’s most notorious serial killer, Dagmar Overby, who was convicted in 1921 for the murders of eight infants.
Directed by Swedish filmmaker Magnus von Horn and starring Vic Carmen Sonne and Trine Dyrholm, the film has captured both critical acclaim and public attention. It premiered in Danish cinemas today, just as the Academy Awards nomination was announced. The Oscars ceremony will take place on March 2, where Pigen med nålen will compete against four other films for the prestigious award.
Von Horn expressed his surprise and gratitude for the nomination. “I was truly convinced we wouldn’t get it,” he told Ritzau. “It’s not that I don’t think we deserve it, but this process has been a rollercoaster over the past month. I’m incredibly happy that the film has been recognized.”
Denmark’s continued excellence in cinema
The last time a Danish film was nominated in the Best International Feature Film category was Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s Flugt (Flee) in 2022. The Danish Film Institute celebrated this latest achievement, with its director, Tine Fischer, commenting on the significance of the nomination.
“Once again, Danish cinema demonstrates that we can reach the highest levels of international recognition,” Fischer said in a written statement. “Pigen med nålen exemplifies how a black-and-white film on a challenging subject can ascend to the grandest stage and put Denmark on the global map.”
In addition to Pigen med nålen, Denmark’s contributions to this year’s Oscars extend further. American actor Jeremy Strong has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Apprentice, a film by Danish-Iranian director Ali Abbasi.
Tough competition in the Best International Feature Film category
Pigen med nålen faces formidable competition in its quest for the Oscar. The other nominees include:
- Brazil’s I’m Still Here
- France’s Emilia Pérez
- Germany’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig
- Latvia’s Flow
Each of these films brings unique cultural perspectives and artistic merits, making the category highly competitive.
A mixed bag for danish filmmakers
While Pigen med nålen achieved its nomination, the Danish short film Eternal Father from the National Film School of Denmark did not make the final cut in the Best Documentary Short Film category despite being shortlisted. This outcome highlights the highs and lows of the Oscars journey for Denmark’s film industry this year.
