WARSAW, Poland, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The German film, "The Lives of Others," has been recognized as this year's best film by the European Film Awards, held in the Polish capital of Warsaw.
The Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck-directed drama about an East German secret policeman beat out Spain's "Volver" for the top film honor at the annual ceremony, that was itself making its debut in an eastern European country, the BBC reported.
The Warsaw event proved to be a homecoming for both Donnersmarck, whose father was born in Poland, and famed Polish director Roman Polanski, who was honored at the ceremony with a lifetime achievement award.
While "Volver" lost out in the European Film Awards' best film category, the drama took home five other awards, including best actress for its star Penelope Cruz and best director for Pedro Almodovar, the BBC said.
