The film, starring Penelope Cruz, beat competition from The Lives of Others – or Das Leben Der Anderen, directed by German filmmaker Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck, as the best film. The German film did, however, win two other prizes, for best actor (Ulrich Muehe) and best screenplay.
The European Film Awards, which were presented for the 19th time, also honoured director Roman Polanski for his career in film.