Nordisk Film Production’s WOMAN UNKNOWN from director May el-Touckhy was awarded the prestigious main prize, the Golden Lion, at the Venice Film Festival. The film's female lead, Mathilde Arcel, was also honored as best actress.
When May el-Toukhy’s WOMAN UNKNOWN celebrated its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 6, it received a warm 7.5-minute standing ovation. Just six days later, the film made cinematic history by winning the prestigious Golden Lion. The historic triumph was crowned by Mathilde Arcel taking home the Volpi Cup for Best Actress, marking both the first Danish victory in the main competition in 71 years and the first Golden Lion in Nordisk Film Production’s history.
The landmark victory comes on the heels of overwhelming international acclaim for the drama. With this win, the film has firmly cemented its place in cinematic history, while May el-Toukhy makes history of her own as the first Danish female director to claim the Golden Lion.
"I am deeply overwhelmed. WOMAN UNKNOWN is about women who were made invisible and stripped of the right to tell their stories. That is why it feels especially powerful that the film is now being seen and recognized in this way. I share the Golden Lion with Mathilde, Maren, Mikael, and the entire fantastic team who brought this film forward. I hope this award can help to restore the visibility and voice to these women that history denied them, while giving their descendants a narrative that has been silenced for far too long," says May el-Toukhy.
A historic milestone for Nordisk Film Production
With its landmark premiere and historic victory in Venice, WOMAN UNKNOWN has secured the ultimate launchpad for its international journey, notes Katrine Vogelsang, CEO of Nordisk Film Production:
“This is tremendous recognition for May el-Toukhy and her masterpiece. We could not have dreamed of a better start for the film’s meeting with international audiences. A heartfelt thank you and warm congratulations go to May, the cast, and the entire crew. We hope they are truly basking in the immense honor of bringing home the Golden Lion."
Producer Mikael Rieks highlights that the historic double win represents a dedicated team effort:
“It is hard to fully comprehend what has happened. Winning the Golden Lion 71 years after Carl Th. Dreyer, while seeing Mathilde honored with the Best Actress award, is a major historical milestone that extends far beyond the film itself. May has created a brave, uncompromising, and deeply poignant work, and Mathilde Arcel carries it with extraordinary power. I am incredibly proud of them and of everyone who poured their talent and heart into WOMAN UNKNOWN. This award belongs to the entire team," he says.
Exciting journey ahead
Following its world premiere and historic triumph in Venice, WOMAN UNKNOWN continues its international festival run. Over the coming week, the film will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival, followed by the BFI London Film Festival, Riga International Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival, with further international festival selections to be announced in the months ahead.
WOMAN UNKNOWN will be released in Danish cinemas on 4 February 2027. The film is also one of three titles in contention to become Denmark’s submission for an Academy Award nomination in the International Feature Film category.