Skam Honoured By LGBT Denmark At Pride Festival

Norwegian drama Skam (Shame) has been honoured with the Salmon Award by LGBT Denmark, which is presented to people or organisations that have gone against the tide. Former winners include former Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Morten Kjærum, and Nina Stork.

Writer and director of Skam, Julie Andem, and actor Carl Martin Eggesbø who plays Eskild, received the award on the main stage at Rådhuspladsen on Saturday as part of the Copenhagen Pride Festival. Their appearance was accompanied by a video message on the big screen from Tarjei Sandvik Moe (Isak) and Henrik Holm (Even).

LGBT Denmark said in a statement “Skam has in a nice and effortless way told, among other things, the story of Isak, Even and Eskild. The series gave a loving and natural portrait of them at eye level with today’s youth, and in so doing went against stereotypical performances and taboos.”

“Skam speaks to both the heart and the mind and may help other young people who are establishing their identity, and allow them to understand that they are who they are without reservation.”

Julie Andem, said: “We at Skam are so happy and grateful to win this award because it means that we achieved what we set out to do with the series: to make everyday life easier for young people who are ashamed of their own sexuality.”

“It is so important that we continue to tell stories of this kind and show young people a diverse picture of what sex and sexuality are.”

Last week Julie Andem also received the Peer Gynt Prize from Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg on behalf of Skam for exercising social responsibility and showing Norway in a positive light abroad.