"Amour," director Michael Haneke's meditation on the end of life told through an elderly man's love for his dying wife, swept the European film awards on Saturday, winning Best European film, best director, actor and actress.
In addition to Haneke's win, Emmanuelle Riva won Best Actress for playing the wife, who slowly fades toward death, and Jean-Louis Trintignant won Best Actor for his portrayal of a loving husband, struggling with the challenge of caring for his partner.
The film, a leading contender in the Oscar season, won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Sony Pictures Classics is distributing the film in the United States.
Two films that were released in the U.S. in 2011 but in Europe in 2012 won multiple awards: Steve McQueen's "Shame" was honored for its cinematography and editing, while Tomas Alfredsson's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" won for its production design and music.
"The Hunt" won the award for screenplay.
