16/04/2024 - Ilker Çatak’s school drama has taken home the pan-European audience award, based on ratings by the general public and Members of the European Parliament

The Teachers’ Lounge co-screenwriter Johannes Duncker with the 2024 LUX Audience Award, flanked by European Parliament Vice-President Evelyn Regner (left) and European Parliament's Culture and Education Committee Chair Sabine Verheyen (© European Union 2024/Philippe Buissin)

This evening, during a ceremony held in Brussels, the European Parliament announced the recipient of the 2024 LUX Audience Award. The Teachers’ Lounge [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: İlker Çatak
interview: Leonie Benesch
film profile], directed by German filmmaker Ilker Çatak, emerged as the latest laureate of this prestigious pan-European award, presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas. For the second time, a total of five films were vying for the coveted award, showcasing the quality, diversity and sheer richness of European cinema. Çatak’s gripping drama triumphed over the other four finalists: 20,000 Species of Bees [+see also:
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interview: Estíbaliz Urresola
film profile] by Estíbaliz Urresola (Spain), Fallen Leaves [+see also:
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film profile] by Aki Kaurismäki (Finland/Germany), On the Adamant [+see also:
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interview: Nicolas Philibert
film profile] by Nicolas Philibert (France/Japan) and Smoke Sauna Sisterhood [+see also:
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interview: Anna Hints
film profile] by Anna Hints (Estonia/France/Iceland), all of which were among the most celebrated European titles of the year.

Following four successful editions, the award has gained significant traction and prominence within Europe's cultural landscape, now standing as the biggest audience award in the world in terms of the number of voters. Since its inception, it has been dedicated to fostering dialogue and highlighting pressing issues at the forefront of the European public debate, including the defence of LGBTQ+ rights, the fight against social inequality and the importance of raising awareness of mental-health issues, as evidenced by some of this year's nominees. The significance of bringing together Members of the European Parliament, filmmakers and citizens to discuss and celebrate these topics through the medium of film is particularly noteworthy this year, with the upcoming 2024 European Elections scheduled for 6-9 June.

Since the announcement of the five finalists during the 80th Venice Film Festival, the shortlisted titles have been subtitled in the 24 official languages of the EU and showcased at festivals and in cinemas across Europe, including free screenings organised by the European Parliament Liaison Offices in various member states. Throughout this period, European audiences and Members of the European Parliament were encouraged to “show their love” for the nominees by rating the films online. Both groups’ ratings held an equal weighting in the process, each contributing 50% to the final result. The rating period concluded on 14 April, with over 22,000 registered votes and 600 screenings organised all over Europe, and The Teachers’ Lounge emerged as the title with the highest overall ranking from both the public and the MEPs.

Following its world premiere in the renowned Panorama section of the 2023 Berlinale, where it won the Europa Cinemas Label, The Teachers’ Lounge garnered critical acclaim both domestically and internationally. It earned five statuettes at the German Film Awards, for Best Feature Film, Director, Actress, Screenplay and Editing. Subsequently, it secured a nomination in the Best International Film category at the 96th Academy Awards, as the German representative. The film follows Carla Nowak, a young and idealistic secondary-school teacher portrayed by Leonie Benesch in a remarkable lead performance. Nowak's decision to investigate a series of unsolved petty thefts on the school premises leads to unresolvable moral dilemmas and reveals the flaws in the educational system. The film was produced by German outfit if... Productions, while Be for Films oversees its international sales.

Vice-president of the European Parliament Evelyn Regner (responsible for the LUX Audience Award) and Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education Sabine Verheyen delivered speeches during the ceremony. “Today we have gathered not only to celebrate one of our finest artistic forms, cinema, which plays a pivotal role in solidifying our sense of European identity; we are also here today to remember, together, how precious and fragile our democracy is. […] Let us celebrate European cinema and draw inspiration from the powerful messages conveyed in these films. Together, let us revel in the beauty and storytelling, and reaffirm our commitment to the future, guided by democracy, freedom and human rights,” said Regner. The event, which was once again held in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels, was attended by MEPs, film crews representing the five nominated movies, influencers and members of the public, totalling more than 1,600 registered participants. Representatives from the 27 Times Cinema project were also present at the ceremony, along with lottery winners from the audience.

Scriptwriter Johannes Duncker accepted the award for The Teachers’ Lounge: “First of all, thank you to the LUX Audience Award for making these films available in so many countries. I firmly believe that this kind of exchange can foster our understanding of each other, especially at a time when societies are so deeply divided. […] Our film takes place in a school that becomes a model for society. It shows the struggle of a teacher trying to do the right thing in the face of a system that does not seem to be meant for that. It was inspired by people who do not give up in the face of inequality, injustice or oppression,” he explained. Director Ilker Çatak also joined remotely to share some thoughts, dedicating the award to all teachers, “not just the ones we had in school, but also the many colleagues whose films we have seen and who are also teachers to us”. Besides taking home the trophy, the film will be adapted for visually and hearing-impaired audiences and further promoted in the various member states in the coming months.

On 10-11 June, the LUX selection committee is expected to convene again at the Parliament to discuss the selection for 2025, thus inaugurating a new edition of the award. All relevant information can be accessed on the official website of the LUX Audience Award.