The teachers’ lounge by German director İlker Çatak is the winner of the LUX European Audience Film Award, as voted by the European public and the deputies of the European Parliament. During a ceremony held in Brussels, the award was presented to Johannes Duncker, author of the screenplay together with Çatak.
The film tells the story of Carla, a young teacher who stands out from her colleagues for her idealism. When a series of unsolved thefts sours the atmosphere among the teaching staff, the woman decides to investigate. With the help of a hidden camera and to everyone’s surprise, she unmasks the thief, but her revelation unleashes forces that quickly spiral out of control, placing Carla in an unsolvable dilemma.
Vice-President of the European Parliament Evelyn Regner said: “Culture, and cinema in particular, plays a fundamental role in consolidating our sense of shared European identity. The values of our European democracy are the same ones represented in today’s films. Therefore, let us remember together how precious and fragile democracy is, especially now that there are only a few weeks left until the elections.”
The teachers’ lounge and the other candidates for the LUX European Audience Film Award 2024
Mike Downey, honorary chair of the LUX selection committee and president of the European Film Academy, commented: “All nominees are winners, in our opinion, and all films draw attention to the fact that cinema not only enhances the imagination, but it also shows our entire world from multiple perspectives and has the power to broaden our vision and thinking. All we have to do is look at the five nominees for this year’s award: great works of art that are diverse, entertaining and socially engaged in the world we live in.”
Co-writer and director of the winning film İlker Çatak, co-writer Johannes Duncker and producer Ingo Fliess said in a statement: “Our sincerest gratitude to our audience and the esteemed members of the European Parliament. We are deeply honored by the wide reception of our film among viewers in Europe and beyond. This recognition highlights the vital role of teachers as unsung heroes of our society. We dedicate this award to them with the utmost respect.”
The other four films shortlisted for the award were: 20,000 species of bees by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren, Leaves in the wind by the Finnish Aki Kaurismäki, On the Adamant by Nicolas Philiber e Smoke sauna sisterhood by Estonian director Anna Hints.
