European Cinema in the 2020s Trivia Quiz

"Another Round" ("Druk") is a 2020 Danish film directed by Thomas Vinterberg and co-written by Vinterberg and Tobias Lindholm. The cast includes Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, and Lars Ranthe as four high school teachers struggling with a mid-life crisis. They begin an unconventional experiment inspired by the theory that maintaining a constant, low level of alcohol in the bloodstream can improve mood, creativity, and overall performance. Initially, their experiment brings a sense of freedom and exhilaration that leads to improved classroom and personal interactions. But as they push the limits, the consequences become unpredictable and reveal deeper struggles in their lives.

"Another Round" was highly praised for its portrayal of friendship, vulnerability, and the complexities of addiction. It won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2021, and Mads Mikkelsen's memorable dance scene became an iconic moment in modern cinema. The film also earned a BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language Film and was selected for the official lineup of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival.

"Quo Vadis, Aida?" is a 2020 Bosnian film directed by Jasmila Zbanić, who also wrote the screenplay. It was released under the same name in its native Bosnian language. The film stars Jasna Đuričić, Izudin Bajrović and Boris Ler. Set during the Bosnian war in July 1995, it follows Aida, a UN translator working in Srebrenica. When the Bosnian Serb army overruns the town, Aida finds herself in a desperate situation, trying to protect her family who are among the thousands who seek refuge at the UN base. The film presents a harrowing account of the events leading up to the Srebrenica massacre, focusing on Aida's attempts to manage the chaotic and dangerous situation as she faces impossible choices.

"Quo Vadis, Aida?" premiered at the 2020 Venice Film Festival and was widely praised for its portrayal of a tragic chapter in recent history. The film was nominated for the 2021 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film and won numerous awards, including the European Film Award for Best Film. Jasna Đuričić's performance was particularly praised, earning her several acting awards. The film's critical success helped to draw attention to the importance of addressing and remembering the events of the Srebrenica massacre.

"The Worst Person in the World" ("Verdens Verste Menneske") is a 2021 Norwegian film directed by Joachim Trier, with a screenplay co-written by Trier and Eskil Vogt. The cast includes Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie and Herbert Nordrum. The story centres on the life of Julie, a woman in her late twenties living in Oslo and struggling to find direction in her life. Over a period of four years, the film follows her fluctuating relationships, career changes and personal challenges, all set against the backdrop of contemporary Oslo.

"The Worst Person in the World" received high praise for its portrayal of contemporary life and relationships. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay. Renate Reinsve won the Best Actress award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival for her portrayal of Julie. "The Worst Person in the World" was also included in numerous year-end lists of top films.

"Anatomy of a Fall" ("Anatomie d'une Chute") is a 2023 French courtroom drama directed by Justine Triet, who co-wrote the screenplay with Arthur Harari. The film stars Sandra Hüller, Swann Arlaud and Milo Machado Graner. It centres on Sandra, a German writer living in the French Alps, who becomes the prime suspect in the mysterious death of her husband. As the trial unfolds, the narrative delves into the complexities of their relationship, raising questions about truth, motive and the ambiguities of evidence. Through the trial, the film explores the intricate dynamics of marriage and the challenge of understanding what really happened on the day of the incident.

"Anatomy of a Fall" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, where it won the prestigious Palme d'Or, making Justine Triet the third woman ever to win the award. The film was praised for its tightly-structured plot, intense performances, particularly by Sandra Hüller, and its nuanced exploration of human behaviour. Despite its success at Cannes, the film was not recognised as France's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards.

"The Hand of God" ("È stata la mano di Dio") is a 2021 Italian film directed and written by Paolo Sorrentino. The film features Filippo Scotti, Toni Servillo, Teresa Saponangelo and Marlon Joubert. Set in Naples in the 1980s, the story follows the life of a young boy named Fabietto Schisa as he navigates family life, adolescence and a series of unexpected events that shape his future. A pivotal moment occurs when the arrival of Diego Maradona to play for the local football club changes the atmosphere of the town and indirectly saves Fabietto's life, linking the film's title to both personal and wider cultural significance.

A semi-autobiographical account inspired by Sorrentino's own youth, "The Hand of God" captures both the beauty and tragedy of growing up. The film premiered at the 2021 Venice Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize. Filippo Scotti's performance as Fabietto won him the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor. The film was also nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 2022 Academy Awards, but lost to "Drive my Car" from Japan.

"Close" (2022) is a Belgian film directed by Lukas Dhont, who co-wrote the screenplay with Angelo Tijssens. The cast includes Eden Dambrine, Gustav De Waele, Émilie Dequenne and Léa Drucker. It tells the story of two thirteen-year-old boys, Léo and Rémi, who are inseparable best friends. They spend all their time together, even sleeping over at each other's houses. As they enter secondary school, their close relationship attracts the attention of their classmates, who begin to question and tease them about the nature of their friendship. Feeling the pressure to fit in, Léo begins to distance himself from Rémi, a decision that devastates Rémi and leaves him feeling isolated.

Tragically, Rémi takes his own life, leaving Léo to deal with overwhelming guilt and grief. The rest of the film follows Léo as he tries to come to terms with his feelings, seeking solace in his memories of Rémi and trying to understand what led to his friend's death. Léo's journey of grief and self-reflection also brings him closer to Rémi's mother, as they both try to come to terms with their shared loss.

"Close" premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix. The film was widely praised for its sensitive and empathetic portrayal of friendship, loss and the pressures of adolescence. It was selected as Belgium's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2023 Academy Awards, where it was nominated but did not win.

"All Quiet on the Western Front" ("Im Westen nichts Neues") is a 2022 German war film directed by Edward Berger and co-written by Berger, Ian Stokell and Lesley Paterson. The film stars Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Daniel Brühl and Aaron Hilmer. Based on the classic 1928 novel by Erich Maria Remarque, the film follows the harrowing experiences of Paul Bäumer, a young German soldier who enlists with his school friends during the First World War. Initially filled with enthusiasm and patriotic fervour, Paul's perception of the war quickly changes as he is confronted with the brutal realities of the Western Front.

As Paul endures the constant shelling, fear and loss of comrades, the film reveals the physical and psychological toll that war takes on soldiers. The story also provides a wider perspective by showing the political negotiations taking place in the background as Germany moves towards an armistice, highlighting the contrast between the suffering on the battlefield and the decisions being made by distant leaders. The film captures the senselessness of war and its devastating effect on a generation of young men.

"All Quiet on the Western Front" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022, and was later released on Netflix. It received critical acclaim for its realistic depiction of trench warfare and strong performances, particularly from Felix Kammerer in the role of Paul. The film was Germany's official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2023 Academy Awards, where it was nominated for nine awards and won four, including Best International Feature Film. It also won seven BAFTA Awards, including Best Film and Best Director, cementing its status as one of the most important European films of the decade.

"Triangle of Sadness" (2022) is a satirical comedy-drama film from Sweden, directed and written by Ruben Östlund. The film includes Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean and Woody Harrelson. It follows the story of Carl and Yaya, a young couple who are both models navigating the world of fashion and social media. They are invited on a luxury cruise for the super-rich, run by a dysfunctional crew and captained by a Marxist, alcoholic captain played by Harrelson. The idyllic setting quickly descends into chaos when a storm hits, leading to a series of mishaps that culminate in the ship capsizing. The survivors find themselves stranded on a deserted island, where the social hierarchy is upturned and those who held power on the yacht become dependent on the ship's toilet manager, who is now the most capable among them.

The film uses its absurd and darkly comic plot to critique the vanity of the fashion industry, the absurdities of class structures and the superficiality of social status. "Triangle of Sadness" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022, where it won the Palme d'Or, making it Ruben Östlund's second win of the prestigious award after his film "The Square" in 2017. The film has also been nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director for Östlund and Best Original Screenplay, establishing it as one of the standout European films of the year.

"Parallel Mothers" ("Madres paralelas") is a 2021 Spanish drama film directed and written by Pedro Almodóvar. The film stars Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón. It tells the story of two women, Janis and Ana, who meet in a maternity ward where they are both about to give birth. Janis, a middle-aged photographer, and Ana, a much younger woman, form a bond as they navigate the fears and uncertainties of impending motherhood. Both are single and their pregnancies were unplanned, but their experiences are very different. Janis is excited and ready to embrace motherhood, while Ana is overwhelmed and anxious.

As the story unfolds, their lives become intertwined in unexpected ways. After their babies are born, a mix-up at the hospital leads to a shocking revelation that forces both women to confront deep emotional truths. The film explores themes of motherhood, identity and the lingering effects of Spain's historical past, including the legacy of the Spanish Civil War.

"Parallel Mothers" premiered at the 2021 Venice Film Festival, where Penélope Cruz won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her portrayal of Janis. The film won numerous awards and was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Actress for Cruz and Best Original Score for Alberto Iglesias. It was also praised by critics for its gripping narrative, complex characters and Almodóvar's distinctive visual style.

"The Quiet Girl" ("An Cailín Ciúin") is a 2022 Irish drama film directed by Colm Bairéad, who also wrote the screenplay. The film is an adaptation of Claire Keegan's novella "Foster". The film stars Catherine Clinch, Carrie Crowley, Andrew Bennett and Michael Patric. Set in rural Ireland in 1981, the story follows Cáit, a shy and neglected nine-year-old girl from a dysfunctional and impoverished family. For the summer she is sent to live with distant relatives, Eibhlín and Seán Kinsella, on their farm.

At first, Cáit is unsure of her new surroundings and the Kinsellas' quiet, caring nature. But she gradually warms to them, especially Eibhlín, who treats her with a kindness and patience she has never experienced before. As the days pass, Cáit begins to feel more secure and loved. But she soon discovers that the Kinsellas carry a grief of their own, linked to a tragic loss in their past. Delicately exploring themes of family, love and the unspoken pain of loss, the film shows how small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on a child's life.

"The Quiet Girl" premiered at the 2022 Berlin International Film Festival, where it received the Best International Film award. It was highly acclaimed for its tender storytelling and poignant performances, particularly that of Catherine Clinch in the lead role. The film has been nominated for multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.