A 30-year-old Danish woman conquered Venice. After receiving the award, she had to go to the employment office

The 30-year-old Danish woman won the hearts of the jury and the audience with her first main role in the film "Woman Unknown" directed by May el-Toukhy. The production not only brought her individual success, but also won the Golden Lion for best film. The jury, chaired by Maggie Gyllenhaal, unanimously awarded Arcel the award, thus breaking the traditional rule of not awarding more than one statuette for the same film.

The actress herself does not hide that her path to success was not strewn with roses. In an interview with the Danish daily "Politiken", she admitted that after the film's premiere in Venice, she had to return to Copenhagen to sign at the employment office - like many actors taking a break from working on the set, she used unemployment benefits. Only after completing the formalities with the intermediary, she returned to the Venice festival to receive the award that could change her life.

What is the award-winning film about?

"Woman Unknown" is a moving story taking place just after the end of the German occupation of Denmark. Arcel plays Marie - a young maid and nanny who is planning a wedding with her widowed employer. However, an unexpected meeting with a former school friend threatens to reveal a painful secret from the past, exposing Marie to social ostracism. As it turns out, the woman was in an intimate relationship with a German soldier during World War II.

Mathilde Arcel's performance was praised for its "subtlety and depth of emotion". Mathilde simply blows your mind, said jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal during the press conference after the awards ceremony.

A flood of role offers. Also from abroad

As the actress herself admitted in an interview with the Danish broadcaster DR, since the verdict was announced, her agent has been receiving numerous calls with role offers, also from abroad. There is a lot of interest, we need to think about what to do next. I hope for new, interesting meetings and projects, emphasizes Arcel.

She added that her big dream is to appear in the British crime series "Midsomer Murders". I would like to continue working and meet new artists. I can't wait to see what the future brings, she concluded.

The story of Mathilde Arcel is not only a story about a great talent, but also about the realities of life of many European artists in the film industry.

According to a report by the British trade union Equity, as many as 63 percent actors in the UK have been on welfare at some point.