Copenhagen -- The Italian film Gomorra, a harrowing drama about the Naples Mafia by Matteo Garrone, won five top prizes at the 21st European Film Awards in Copenhagen on Saturday.

Kristin Scott Thomas won the European award as best actress in the French film Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I've Loved You So Long) by Philippe Claudel.

The Berlin-based European Film Academy's board chairman Yves Marnion said Gomorra had "a very special aura that goes beyond its country" of origin.

"This is the year of Italy which has shown us with Il Divo that European cinema is of very good quality, very close to the realities in this world," he told AFP.

Director Garrone said: "I share the price with the Neapolitan people who live in danger, and I want to thank everyone who has participated in this dangerous movie."

Academy chief Wim Wenders, the German film director, said he was "not at all surprised by the number of statuettes won by Gomorra, an excellent film, which is a sign of the vitality of the European cinema, which can travel and be successful elsewhere"

"It was a great selection this year," he said. "A lot of films are traveling in many European countries. I think it's a great year."

AFP/Expatica