‘A Better Man,’ ‘Nepobaby’ Win Big

CANNES — In a striking triple whammy for Norway at this year’s Canneseries, “A Better Man,” from Thomas Seeberg Torjussen swept best series and best performance for star Anders Baasmo while Henriette Steenstrup’s “Nepobaby” scored screenplay and a special interpretation award for its ensemble cast.

In a third award for Norway, “The Agent – The Life and Lies of my Father,” from Magnus Skatvold, took best documentary. Flying the flag for Belgium’s Flanders, which had five series in Official Selection, more than any other country in the world, “Oh, Otto!” won best short-form series and the Student Award for that category.

“A Better Man” is produced by Synnøve Hørsdal’s Maipo Film, behind “Miss Julie,” with Jessica Chastain and Colin Farrell, and State of Happiness, which won best screenplay and best music at the inaugural Canneseries in 2018, sparking a close relationship between the French TV festival and Norwegian series, often backed by public broadcaster NRK, as is the case of “A Better Man.”

Also produced by ZDFneo and a recent Beta Film pick-up for international distribution, “A Better Man” turns on a misogynist internet troll, Tom, who is outed and dressing as a woman to avoid further persecution, treads a rocky road to redemption.

“I am a huge fan of Norwegian series which tackle sensitive topics but are always different and I have the utmost respect for Synnøve. If she sends me something, I watch it with utmost care,” Cannseries artistic director Albin Levi told Variety.

“A Better Man” indeed tackles three burning issues of the modern age – internet trolling, the cancel culture and masculinity – manages to give an explanation for trolls, suggest how they can stop and wraps this is an engrossing, affecting narrative, a large achievement demanding a nuanced performance from Baasmo which takes in two physical transformations and a hard-won spiritual makeover.

Nepobaby
© Eldorado Content Club

“‘Succession’ meets ‘Veep’ made in a fun way,” says Lewi, “Nepobaby” marks another triumph for actor-turned-showrunner Henriette Steenstrup, behind “Pørni,” who wrote Nepobaby specifically for “Porni” actor Vivild Falk Berg as a young woman whose life changes forever when she discovers that she’s the heiress of one of Norway’s oldest and wealthiest shipping dynasties.

“I hope very much the series will travel. Vivild Falk Berg has the makings of a major star,” said Lewi.

“Nepobaby” is “basically about family ties, inheritance, and how money can change you and those around you. Anyone can relate to that,” Steenstrup told Variety which notes that she is known for her ability to mix comedy with heart-warming drama and underlying topical issues.

Completing Norway’s Canneseries’ consecration, “The Agent – The Life and Lies of My Father,” also backed by NRK, turns on Didrik whose father told him when he was 10 that he was a “secret spy.” Or maybe it’s a false memory. Now an adult, piece by piece Didrik puts together a long life filled with multiple lies and confronts his father, who is still alive. The docuseries is created, co-written and directed by Magnus Skatfold, co-creator of Doc NYC winner “Blue Code of Silence.”

From top Belgian company Eyeworks Film & TV Drama and Stijn Van Kerkhoven, a second unit director on Keshet Intl. Netflix hit “Rough Diamonds,” “Oh, Otto!” turns on a young man’s search for a place within Brussels’ vibrant queer community.

CANNESERIES AWARDS, 2025

COMPETITION

Best Series

“A Better Man,” (Thomas Seeberg Torjussen, Norway, Lithuania)

Best Screenplay

Henriette Steenstrup, Siri Seljeseth, Tina Rygh (“Nepobaby”)

Best Performance

Anders Baasmo (“A Better Man”)

Special Interpretation Awards

The ensemble cast of “Nepobaby”

Best Music

Junoh Lee (“S-Line”)