'Play' Wins Nordic Council Film Prize

Ruben Ostlund's Swedish drama Play has won the Nordic Council Film Prize, the top pan-Scandinavian cinema honor. The racially charged drama, which Ostlund co-wrote with Erik Hemmendorff was inspired by actual court cases in Sweden. It tells the story of a group of black boys who design a clever psychological game to rob richer white kids.

Play had its world premiere in Cannes' Directors Fortnight section last year, where it won the Coup de coeur honor.

Ostlund has since picked up a trophy case of awards for the film, including the Best Director honor at the Tokyo Film Festival, Best Director and Best Cinematography nods at Sweden’s Guldbagge awards, and a Greta for Best Swedish film from the Swedish Film Critics Association. Ostlund and producer Hemmendorff will receive the Nordic Council honor at a ceremony in Helsinki Oct. 31.