'Amour' takes top honor at European awards

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VALETTA, Malta, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- German director Michael Haneke's elderly-themed drama, "Amour," took home four awards, including best picture, at the European Film Awards.

The European Film Academy's awards ceremony was held Saturday at the Mediterranean Conference Center in Valetta, Malta.

"Amour" picked up the best picture award, best direction for Haneke, best actor for Jean-Louis Trintignant and best actress for Emmanuelle Riva.

The academy's lifetime achievement award this year went to Bernardo Bertolucci, the Oscar-winning Italian director of "The Last Emperor." He was brought onstage in a wheelchair to a standing ovation, The Hollywood Reporter said.

"My mouth is too dry for long speeches," Bertolucci said. "Long life to European cinema and a long life to the European Film Academy awards."

Other winners included best screenwriting for Dutch child-abuse drama "The Hunt;" best animated feature for Czech Republic-German-Slovakian co-production, "Alois Nebel;" and best documentary for the Swiss film, "Winter Nomads."