27/10/2007

From among the awards of the second edition of the RomeFilmFest the only official prize for Europe, the Best Actor award, went to Croatian actor of Serbian descent Rade Serbedzija (Eyes Wide Shut, Hermano, Shooter, as well as Maria Schrader’s Fest title Love Life [+see also:
trailer
film profile], presented out of competition) for his performance in the Canadian-Greek film Fugitive Pieces by Jeremy Podeswa.

“I dedicate this award to all those who come from small town and find themselves in foreign countries, because I am one of them,” said the actor, donning, as always, his panama hat. “I’ve won many awards in my country but, on the suggestion of a friend of mine, a famous Croatian writer, I forgot them all. This one is impossible to forget: Marco Aurelio is one of my favourite sculptures, and I believe this festival can help Italian cinema flourish again,” added Serbedzija.

The other official prizes all went to non-Europeans, and were chosen by the Fest’s popular jury, made up of 50 non-professionals and presided over by Oscar-winning Bosnian director Danis Tanović. Best Film went to Jason Reitman’s Juno (USA), Best Actress to Jang Wenli for Chinese title And the Spring Comes by Chang Wei Gu, and the Special Jury Prize was awarded to the Iranian-Japanese feature Hafez by Abolfazl Salili.

Days and Clouds [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Silvio Soldini picked up a special mention for the Première section while Giuseppe Battiston won the L.A.R.A. Award as best actor in Carlo Mazzacurati’s The Right Distance [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

In terms of figures, the second edition of the Fest clocked up 600,000 spectators and 7,010 accredited professionals (compared to 480,000 and 6,837, respectively, in 2006); 110,000 tickets issued (102,000 last year) for 670 screenings on 33 screens (650 on 23 in 2006); and there were 102 films in the official selection, from 46 countries worldwide.

The festival also hosted six exhibits, five concerts and 32 events, as well as the Focus on India, with 170 sponsors and partners.

CINEMA 2007 - COMPETITION OFFICIAL AWARDS:

Marco Aurelio Award RomeFilmFest - Best Film - Rome Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Handicrafts and Agriculture
Juno by Jason Reitman
This film evoked a variety of emotions amongst the jury and this reception was tangible in the cinema. Juno is about a teenage girl coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy who deals with the situation in her own special way. The role of Juno is aptly played by Ellen Page who along with ensemble cast brings to life the witty and interesting script with conviction.

Special Jury Award RomeFilmFest – AAMS
Hafez by Abolfaz Jalili
This film's mythical core endeared it to the jury with its innovative use of storytelling. Poetry, rhythm and symbols reveal the duality of love for God and community within the film. Hafez pits human strength against traditional fanaticism, which connects strongly to current political and religious issues.

Marco Aurelio Award RomeFilmFest - Best Actress- BNL - BNP Paribas Group
Jiang Wenli for And the Spring Comes by Gu Chang-wei
Her extraordinary ability as an actress allows her to completely embody the role. She portrays a woman coming to terms with a closed, suffocating reality that, however, she does not allow herself to be crushed by. The character of Wang Cailing suffers as a frustrated artist who has the courage to follow a different path and Jiang Wenli carries the movie at every stage with true elegance and charm.

Marco Aurelio Award RomeFilmFest - Best Actor- Lazio Region
Rade Šerbedžija for Fugitive Pieces by Jeremy Podeswa
The jury is honoured to give this prize to an extraordinary actor coming from a troubled region in Europe. His character shows great kindness to a young boy, despite the obvious risk to himself. It is this brave act that sets the film in motion. Šerbedžija is believable and sensitive in playing a character at the centre of a well-rounded film.

ALICE IN THE CITY OFFICIAL AWARDS:

Alice in the City K12 Prize for Best Film
Canvas by Joseph Greco
This is a film you cannot forget right away. It goes straight to the heart with its portrait of the strength and determination of a family fighting with the mother's illness. The courage of the director, who based the film on his own childhood, is simply unbelievable.

Alice in the City Young Adult Prize for Best Film
Meet Mr. Daddy by Kwang Su Park
A moving and far from predictable portrait of the ability to love beyond family bonds. Thanks to the extraordinary performance of the cast, the films proves how the hope for a brand new life can arise from the greatest grief.

Paolo Ungari/UNICEF Prize - Alice in the City Book Section
Ragazzi di Camorra by Pina Varriale
Antonio's story is one of courage and hope. Despite having their childhood stolen, boys and girls like him can build up a better future far from the Camorra gangs thanks to their will power and support. COLLATERAL PRIZES:

FASTWEB Prize for the Première section

Into the Wild by Sean Penn
Special mention: Days and Clouds [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Silvio Soldini

L.A.R.A. (Libera Associazione Rappresentanza di Artisti) Prize for Best Italian Actor

Giuseppe Battiston for his role in The Right Distance [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Carlo Mazzacurati

CULT Prize for Best Documentary Film presented in the Extra section
Forbidden Lie$ by Anna Broinowski

ENEL Cuore Prize for Best Social Documentary Film presented in the Extra section
War/Dance by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix-Fine

MINI Prize for Best European Project presented in the New Cinema Network section
Slawomir Fabicki for the project Bonobo Jingo

L'Oreal Paris Prize for Best Make-Up
Valentina Lodovini, actress in The Right Distance by Carlo Mazzacurati

(Translated from Italian)