Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
Danish actor Mathilde Arcel wins Venice award for first leading film role
Danish actor Mathilde Arcel won the best actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her first leading role, in “What’s Wrong with Marie?”
The film also won Venice’s top prize, the Golden Lion.
Set in Copenhagen in 1945, it follows Marie, a housekeeper whose past relationship with a Nazi German soldier threatens her planned marriage to a wealthy businessman.
After Denmark’s liberation, women known to have been close to Nazi soldiers faced public humiliation and punishment.
Arcel studied that history and shaped her performance around small changes in breathing and movement rather than openly showing Marie’s feelings.
The film was invited to the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, where it received its first screening for local audiences.
The sources give no further details about the film’s release or what Arcel will do next.
Danish actor Mathilde Arcel won the Volpi Cup for best actress at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
The award was for her performance in Women Unknown, which also won the festival’s Golden Lion.
It was Arcel’s first leading role in a film.
The film, directed by May el-Toukhy, is set in Copenhagen in 1945 and follows a woman whose past relationship with a Nazi German soldier threatens her future.
- Who
- Danish actor Mathilde Arcel.
- What
- She won the Volpi Cup for best actress for Women Unknown, her first leading film role.
- When
- The festival’s closing ceremony took place on September 12, 2026.
- Where
- The award was presented at the Venice International Film Festival on Italy’s Lido island.
- Why
- The jury recognized her performance; jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal said the decision was unanimous.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It was my first film in a leading role and my first award at my first film festival.
She is going to surprise us.
I can’t believe it and I’m dazed. I never imagined winning, and I thought just being invited to the Venice Film Festival was an honor. It still feels like a dream.
Arcel graduated from an acting academy and wrote to director May el-Toukhy about her admiration for her work.
Arcel won the best actress award at the Venice International Film Festival closing ceremony.
Arcel spoke to Yonhap at the Busan International Film Festival.
- Award
- Volpi Cup for best actress
- Film
- Women Unknown
- Festival
- 83rd Venice International Film Festival
- Other major award
- Golden Lion for Women Unknown
- Setting
- Copenhagen, 1945
- Age
- 30
Sources
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