email print share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn share on reddit pin on Pinterest

VENICE 2017 Giornate degli Autori / Awards

Candelaria comes out on top in the Giornate degli Autori

by 

- VENICE 2017: The jury chaired by director Samira Makhmalbaf has crowned Jhonny Hendrix Hinestroza’s film; the Audience Award went to Longing and the Europa Cinemas Label to M

Candelaria comes out on top in the Giornate degli Autori
The cast and crew of Candelaria, with the GdA Director’s Award (© Giornate degli Autori)

Candelaria [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jhonny Hendrix Hinestroza
film profile
]
, the new film by Colombian director Jhonny Hendrix Hinestroza, whose main characters are an elderly couple living on Cuba during the Special Period, is the winner of this year’s GdA Director’s Award, the main prize handed out in the 14th Giornate degli Autori, as part of the 74th Venice Film Festival. According to the jury, chaired by Iranian director Samira Makhmalbaf and made up of the members of the 28 Times Cinema project (see the news), that is 28 young cinephiles, each representing a country of the European Union, “This is one of those rare cases where a film conveys generosity and warmth to the audience, portraying an unconventional way of rediscovering the love between two seniors who are fighting for survival on Cuba. In its visual form, the movie melds the performances of its two exceptional actors, its cinematography loaded with meaning, warm Latin colours, an unexpected narrative arc and a profound social message.” The prize comes with €20,000, to be split between the director and the film’s international sales agent, Beta Cinema.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Meanwhile, the Giornate degli Autori film that received the most votes from audience members, from among the 11 titles in competition, was the Israeli title Longing [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Savi Gabizon
film profile
]
 by Savi Gabizon, which took home the BNL People’s Choice Award. The movie, which broaches the topic of fatherhood in a somewhat unusual fashion, secured 62.9% of the votes. The Europa Cinemas Label (which is reserved for films with European producers or co-producers) went to Sara Forestier and her successful directorial debut, M [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Sara Forestier
film profile
]
, “for its poetic and sincere description of diversity, for the masterful direction and the excellent performances by the entire cast. M is a fascinating representation of the relationship between two people scarred by life. The movie has every chance of reaching out to and moving the youngest of audiences.” M also snagged two Fedeora Awards (handed out by the Federation of Film Critics of Europe and the Mediterranean): Best Debut Director (Sara Forestier) and Best Actor (Redouanne Harjane). Lastly, the Fedeora Award for Best Film went to Eye on Juliet by Kim Nguyen.

Here is the complete list of winners in the 2017 Giornate degli Autori:

GdA Director’s Award
Candelaria [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jhonny Hendrix Hinestroza
film profile
]
 – Jhonny Hendrix Hinestroza (Colombia/Germany/Norway/Argentina/Cuba)

Europa Cinemas Label Award
M [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Sara Forestier
film profile
]
 – Sara Forestier (France)

Fedeora Awards
Best Film 
Eye on Juliet – Kim Nguyen (Canada)

Best Debut Director 
Sara Forestier – M (France)

Best Actor 
Redouanne Harjane – M (France)

Nuovo Imaie Talent Award
Federica Rosellini – Where Shadows Fall [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Valentina Pedicini
film profile
]
 (Italy)
Mimmo Borrelli – Equilibrium [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Vincenzo Marra
film profile
]
 (Italy)

Edipo Re Award
Valentina Pedicini – Where Shadows Fall (Italy)

Lanterna Magica Award
Equilibrium – Vincenzo Marra (Italy)

BNL People’s Choice Award
Longing [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Savi Gabizon
film profile
]
 - Savi Gabizon (Israel)

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

(Translated from Italian)

Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.

Privacy Policy