Iceland's 'Laughter' honored

World Brief

By JORN ROSSING JENSEN

COPENHAGEN -- Icelandic veteran director Ágúst Gudmundsson's "The Seagull's Laughter" swept this year's Eddas -- the local film and TV awards -- winning prizes for feature, director and original screenplay (Gudmundsson), actress (Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir), supporting actor (Hilmir Snaer Gudnasson) and supporting actress (Kristbjorg Kjeld).

Set in the early 1950s, pic is the feminist tale of a beautiful Icelandic woman who returns from America a widow.

Jonn Gnarr scooped actor kudos for the television comedy series "Stepbrothers." Thorfinnur Gudnason's "Lalli Johns" was named best documentary, and Gudnason was also hailed Professional of the Year, along with Hronn Kristinsdottir, for producing "Ikingut," and Pall Baldvin Baldvinsson for the television series, "The 20th Century." Jonatan Gardarsson's "Mosaik" was voted best TV program of the year.

The event, organised by the Icelandic Film and Television Academy, also honored vet thesps Kristbjorg Kjeld and Gunnar Eyjolfsson for their contribution to Icelandic cinema.