Bergman's Grandchild Norway's Oscar Candidate

Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel's film "Armand" represents Norway in the selection for the Oscars next year, according to NRK.

Ullmann, who made his directorial debut with the film, is the grandson of actress and director Liv Ullmann and director Ingmar Bergman.

Maybe there will be higher expectations, but I'll probably also get more attention because of it, he says to NRK.

The Norwegian Oscar Committee chose "Armand" as an Oscar candidate partly because the film has a PR campaign that can help it get on the list and ultimately be nominated for the prize for best international film. But they also highlight that the film is surprising and that the acting performances, among others by Renate Reinsve, are "impressive".

Sweden's candidate for the Oscar nominations is Filip and Fredrik's documentary film "The Last Journey" and Denmark is represented by Swedish-born Magnus von Horn's "The Girl with the Needle". On December 17, a first round of elimination of the candidates will take place, and on January 17, the five nominees in the category will be revealed.