European Film Award for Best Actor
The European Film Award for Best Actor is an award given out at the annual European Film Awards to recognize an actor who has delivered an outstanding leading performance in a film industry. The awards are presented by the European Film Academy (EFA) and was first presented in 1988 to Swedish actor Max von Sydow for his role as Lassefar "Lasse" Karlsson in Pelle the Conqueror.
The 2023 recipient: Mads Mikkelsen
Max von Sydow won for his role in Pelle the Conqueror in 1988.
Philippe Noiret won for his roles in Life and Nothing But and Cinema Paradiso in 1989.
Matti Pellonpää won for his role in La Vie de bohème in 1992.
Pelle the Conqueror is a 1987 epic film co-written and directed by Bille August, based upon the 1910 novel of the same name by Danish writer Martin Andersen Nexø. The film tells the story of two Swedish immigrants to Denmark, a father and son, who try to build a new life for themselves. It stars Pelle Hvenegaard as the young Pelle, with Max von Sydow as his father, and also features Axel Strøbye and Astrid Villaume.
Original Swedish poster
Bille August co-adapted and directed Pelle the Conqueror out of an ambition to make an epic film.
Max von Sydow's performance received positive reviews, earning him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor.