Denmark has selected May el-Toukhy’s “Woman Unknown” as its official submission for the Oscars’ international feature film category. The choice follows the film’s Golden Lion victory at the Venice Film Festival, increasing its profile ahead of the awards race.

Set in Copenhagen in May 1945, the film follows Marie, a maid preparing to marry her older employer while concealing a damaging secret. It also won Mathilde Arcel the Venice award for best actress and will screen at festivals including London and Busan; el-Toukhy becomes only the second Danish director to win Venice’s top prize, after Carl Th. Dreyer in 1955.