NOTE: This article is a republication- Source: Nordisk Film & TV Fond (by Annika Pham).
The series picked up the award on Friday at the closing ceremony in Bari, Italy while the sixth and closing episode aired on DRTV.
Prisoner (Huset) was one of the three finalists competing for best TV drama with RAI’s Esterno Notte (Exterior Night) writer/directed by Marco Bellocchio, and Channel 4’s I am Ruth starring Kate Winslet.
The Danish prison drama toplining Sofie Gråbøl, David Dencik, Charlotte Fich and Bjarne Henriksen, was created by Kim Fupz Aakeson in close collaboration with co-directors Frederik Louis Hviid and Michael Noer. The latter was in Bari to receive the award on behalf of his colleagues.
In its motivation note, the Prix Italia jury described Prisoner as “a visceral and compelling portrait of the reality of life in prison, with a strong ensemble cast, dynamic shooting and editing style, and a story offering a broader metaphor for the injustices widespread in modern society.”
DR’s Head of Drama Henriette Marienlund said the coveted prize is “a recognition that underlines the importance of producing brave series that challenge our welfare state and ourselves.”
The Prix Italia presided over by Walter Presents’ co-founder Walter Iuzzolino, had more than 250 programmes from 80 global broadcasters selected for the three radio & podcast, TV and digital competition sections.
Prisoner had its world premiere at the last Canneseries in April. It received stellar reviews in the Danish media (5 stars in Ekstra Bladet, Politiken, Berlingske, Ekko, Soundvenue) after its domestic launch September 1 on DRTV and September 3rd on DR1.
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