Photo: Ronnie Smith
“For mixing investigative with strongly emotional material in an outstanding fashion. He is as particular about the details as he is anxious to show the greater picture and succeeds through his choice of topic to both give an in depth analysis and to portray the time period and its society. He moves between genres – literature, journalism, radio and TV – but regardless of form there is always commitment. He affects people and his productions make a difference.”
2006 Kristianstadbladet’s Cultural Prize
Gellert Tamas has been given several awards and distinctions, both in Sweden and internationally, for his journalistic writings as well as his books and documentaries.
2006
• The Special Prize, The Swedish Publishers’ Association – for the book The Laserman
• The City of Stockholm’s honorary price for literature
• The Ikaros Prize – Best current affairs program TV, for The Apathetic Children
• Prix Europa – Special Commendation non fiction TV, for The Laserman
2005
• The Crystal Prize – the best documentary of the year, for The Laserman
2004
• The Stockholm County Council’s yearly award against xenophobia
2003
• The Golden Spade – best researched reportage book, for The Laserman
“Because it persistently investigates rumours that became truths in the media and in the Government Offices in a politically controversial question that involves human tragedies and vulnerable children. Because it shows how rumours come alive and gain acceptance in certain establishments and remain unchallenged until somebody dares and finds the energy to question every syllable.”
2006 – The Ikaros Prize (Ikarospriset) Best current affairs program in TV for The Apathetic Children
”Gellert Tamas is a journalist and writer that has specialised in reports mixing fictional and documentary qualities. A recurring question in Gellert Tamas’ productions is ‘Who is responsible, society or the individual?’ In The Laserman he shows with psychological accuracy and empathy how society and the public debate drives an individual to commit crimes that shock a whole nation and that ten years later force it to wake up.
Gellert Tamas uses the media to show the media’s power and influence over society and its individuals. In his writings, through his movies and his involvement in Swedish PEN he shows a versatility that few people possess. Gellert Tamas’ journalistic mission goes further than to just register and report – he gets involved in the public debate and becomes an important voice in society.”
2006 – The City of Stockholm’s honorary price for literature
”A thoroughly documented and superbly edited film about a series of crimes which shocked Sweden in the beginning of the nineties. A successful attempt to solve a psychological riddle: what triggered the mind of a racist murderer, a strange son of immigrants, who became inspired by an extreme right-wing party and started ten attacks on immigrants.”
2006 – Prix Europa – Special Commendation non fiction TV, for The Laserman
“A well made and powerful documentary visualizing the person behind the “monster”. Instead of simplifying the producers construct a complex picture depicting how a once bullied boy came to shake the very foundations of Swedish society during a politically dark period of time in our history. The documentary reminds us that values like democracy and tolerance can be utmost fragile.”
2005 – The Crystal Prize (Kristallen) – the best documentary of the year, for The Laserman
“The writer and journalist Gellert Tamas has spent many years of his journalistic work on investigating in different contexts xenophobic groups and attitudes in Swedish society, but also tried to give new perspectives on the conditions of being an immigrant. In his book The Laserman he describes the 90’s and investigates the societal mechanisms that legitimize and spread xenophobia. Gellert Tamas has also made a series of important TV reports that among other things treat discrimination on the labour market.”
2004 – The Stockholm County Council’s yearly award against xenophobia
”For a breathtaking and exhaustive depiction of Sweden in the early 1990’s that makes an unreflecting observer wiser and enlightens posterity.”
2003 – The Golden Spade (Guldspaden) – best researched reportage book – for The Laserman
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