The Elite Squad, the story of corrupt police officers supposed to be fighting drug crime in Brazil, has won the main prize at the Berlin Film Festival.
The Elite Squad, a violent tale of corrupt drug-squad officers in Brazil, has won the Golden Bear, the top prize at the annual Berlin Film Festival.
British actress Sally Hawkins won best actress for Happy-Go-Lucky and Iranian actor Reza Naji won best actor for The Song of Sparrows.
It had created unprecedented interest upon its release in Brazil, because of its portrayal of a police force willing to torture and kill unarmed suspects.
The Elite Squad beat Oscar-nominated epic There Will Be Blood and comedy Happy-Go-Lucky to win the Golden Bear.
Producer Marcos Prado said the award "gives us the strength to go forward".
The award is one of those traditionally handed out before the Oscars.
The UK's Sally Hawkins was best actress for Happy-Go-Lucky and Iran's Reza Naji won best actor on The Song of Sparrows.
'Failed to deliver'
Born in London, 31-year-old Hawkins has also appeared in Mike Leigh's abortion drama Vera Drake and has had an extensive television career.
Happy-Go-Lucky director Mike Leigh had previously earned the Palme d'Or in Cannes and Golden Lion in Venice with earlier films, and wanted to win in Berlin for a hat-trick at the three main European cinema festivals.
The Rada-trained performer's TV appearances include several Little Britain episodes and the controversial lesbian drama Tipping the Velvet.
But US filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson won the Silver Bear prize for best director for There Will Be Blood.
Hawkins said she was "on the edge of tears" in her acceptance speechUS filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson took the prize for best director for There Will Be Blood.
Born in London, 31-year-old Sally Hawkins has also appeared in Mike Leigh's abortion drama Vera Drake and has had an extensive television career.
This epic story of an oil prospector is already nominated in eight categories at the Oscars, which are being held on 24 February.
Sally Hawkins's success follows an extensive television career
Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai received the prize for best for In Love We Trust, while Lake Tahoe, directed by Fernando Eimbcke of Mexico, was named most innovative film.
The Rada-trained actress's TV appearances include several Little Britain episodes and in the controversial lesbian drama Tipping the Velvet.
A total of 21 pictures were screened in competition in the German capital for the 58th festival.
A total of 21 pictures were screened in competition in the German capital for the 58th festival.
However, there had been no clear consensus among leading critics as to which would win the Golden Bear.
Industry publication Variety went as far as saying that there had been some disappointments during the festival.
"On paper, the competition had looked more impressive than it had in several years, though in practice some [festival] names have failed to deliver challenging or innovative fare," it said.
Detainee film wins
Among the other contenders were the emotionally-charged French film I've Loved You So Long, starring Kristin Scott Thomas.
Nanni Moretti played a grieving executive in Italy's Quiet Chaos.
Elegy was also among the potential winners - it stars Penelope Cruz and Sir Ben Kingsley in a story covering ageing, insecurity and death.
And there was a US documentary, Standard Operating Procedure, which deals with the abuse of detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. It won the jury grand prize.
Last year's Golden Bear was awarded to Tuya's Marriage, a Chinese drama about a herdswoman from Inner Mongolia.
