The Danish Film Institute has announced that the film “The Girl with the Needle” has been selected as Denmark’s candidate for an Oscar nomination in the category of Best International Feature Film. The choice was made unanimously by the Danish Oscar committee. “We needed to choose a film with the best chances for nomination, and this year there was no doubt that it had to be ‘The Girl with the Needle,'” stated the committee’s chairman, Jacob Neiiendam.

The film, directed by Swedish filmmaker Magnus von Horn and produced by Malene Blenskov and Mariusz Wlodarski, follows the story of a young factory worker named Karoline in Copenhagen during World War I. Played by Vic Carmen Sonne, Karoline struggles to survive after losing her job, becoming pregnant, and facing abandonment. She encounters Dagmar, portrayed by Trine Dyrholm, who runs an underground adoption agency.

Jacob Neiiendam emphasizes that despite its black-and-white aesthetic, “The Girl with the Needle” is very accessible and offers a compelling combination of engaging storytelling and high artistic quality. He highlights that the film’s themes of women’s rights and abortion are particularly relevant in a time when it will be presented to an American audience.

The film is inspired by the true story of Dagmar Overbye, who was convicted in 1921 for the murder of nine infants whom she had adopted for payment. “The Girl with the Needle” was previously selected for the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival and will premiere in Denmark on January 23rd of next year.

The Danish Oscar Committee, which consists of nine representatives from the film industry and the Danish Film Institute, is responsible for this selection. The final Oscar nominations will be announced on January 17, 2025.