German Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed on Monday that the Oscar for German film The Lives of Others as best foreign language picture as "a stunning endorsement".

"The Oscar is a stunning endorsement for this impressive film about an authentic German narrative," government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm quoted her as saying.

She congratulated the entire team of the film, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, who collected the award in Los Angeles on Sunday. Merkel said the film had a convincing effect on people.

The Lives of Others, which depicts a Stasi agent's snooping on a successful playwright and his actress girl friend, had previously brought Von Donnersmarck the honor of the European Film Award for best picture.

Germany's last win in the category was Nowhere in Africa in 2003.

Editor: Donald