VON TRIER WINS EUROPEAN AWARD, FAILS TO SHOW UP TO GET IT

Danish director Lars Von Trier did not show up in Berlin to accept the award for best film at the European Film Awards over the weekend. The award was picked up by his wife, Bente Froge. After joking at a Cannes news conference last May about Hitler and the Nazis — and being declared persona non grata by the festival as a result — Von Trier vowed to avoid putting his foot in his mouth again — at least publicly. “I should say from Lars that he has no statement for you,” Froge told the audience at the awards ceremony. “But he did ask that I should wave to you in a kind and gentle way.” This year’s Oscar winner, The King’s Speech, which was not released in Europe until this year, had been heavily favored to win the top award. It did win The People’s Choice Award, however, and its star, Colin Firth, won for best actor. Tilda Swinton was named best actress for We Need to Talk about Kevin.