Amanda Nominations: The Ugly Stepsister, Armand, and more...

by Nathaniel R

The Ugly Stepsister -- now streaming on AMC+ and Shudder

Norway's annual Amanda Awards take place in August each year in beautiful Haugesund on the west coast. I lived there briefly a million years ago. Their eligibility is not by calendar year but for Norwegian release dates between July 1 through June 30. This often means that you'll see last year's Oscar submission in the mix along with newer titles. You'll recognize some of the titles this year and a few of them are even available to see in the US by streaming or at the theater.

Nominations and thoughts after the jump...

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Berlinale 75: On the Golden Bear-winning "Dreams"

by Elisa Giudici

First love is by definition all-consuming, reshaping one’s world with overwhelming intensity. In Dreams (Sex Love), a multi-generational reflection on first love from Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud, captures this transformative experience, The movie tells the story of Johanne, a high school student who falls deeply for her French teacher. While the premise may seem familiar, the film’s execution is anything but. With remarkable authenticity, Dreams conveys the raw, feverish energy of youthful desire—both in mind and body—while weaving in a broader meditation on love across different stages of life...

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