Danish documentary wins first Oscar while Trier’s film takes international prize

A Danish-produced documentary, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, has won Denmark’s first Academy Award for best documentary feature, while the Danish-Norwegian co-production Affektionsværdi (The Worst Person in the World) took the Oscar for best international film, reports DR.

The documentary, directed by American David Borenstein—a Copenhagen resident—and produced by Dane Helle Faber in collaboration with Czech production company Pink, follows Russian teacher Pavel “Pasha” Talankin. He secretly filmed the increasing militarisation and nationalist indoctrination in Russian schools following the invasion of Ukraine before fleeing into exile. The film is available on DR TV.

Denmark had received eight documentary Oscar nominations since 2010 but had never before won in the category. The victory marks the country’s first Academy Award for a documentary film.

Meanwhile, Danish-Norwegian director Joachim Trier’s Affektionsværdi claimed the Oscar for best international feature. The film, produced in part by Denmark’s Zentropa, stars Stellan Skarsgård, Renate Reinsve, Elle Fanning, and Jesper Christensen. Danish cinematographer Kasper Tuxen and visual effects supervisor Esben Syberg also contributed to the production.

The Oscars, organised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are considered the film industry’s most prestigious awards. This year’s ceremony marked Denmark’s strongest showing in recent history, with wins in two major categories.