24/01/2008

Winning awards in the categories of Best Feature and Best Emerging Actor (Philippe Graber), Micha Lewinsky’s Der Freund (“The Friend”) was the star of the show at the 2008 Swiss Film Awards, whose ceremony was held on the evening of January 23 during the Soleure Film Days.

The jury presided by Swiss actress Marthe Keller praised the film as "a well-handled story amidst the petty cowardice and dishonesty in Switzerland" by a filmmaker who "endeavours to stir genuine emotion and provide intense enjoyment for the viewer ".

The Quartz for Best Screenplay went to Jeanne Waltz, who wrote and directed A Parting Shot [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jeanne Waltz
interview: Pierre-Alain Meier
film profile], the only Swiss-French film to pick up an award. The jury commented: “Despite the simple and sober style of this film, the screenwriter of A Parting Shot still manages to flaunt her remarkable creative talent and originality”.

Stefan Schwietert’s Echoes of Home [+see also:
trailer
film profile] was crowned Best Documentary. This feature-length film, which explores the unique vocal world of three Swiss artists, has already won two awards at the Berlinale 2007, the Audience Prize at the Visions du Réel Festival in Nyon, the Golden Athena Best Music & Film Award and a nomination at the European Film Awards.

With the Quartz for Best Emerging Actor going to Graber, acting awards were also picked up by Sabine Timoteo for her performance in Manuel Siebenmann’s telefilm Nebenwirkungen; and by Bruno Cathomas for his role in Armin Biehler’s Chicken mexicaine.

Finally, the rapper Stress and the bassist and composer Mich Gerber were awarded the Special Jury Prize for the music on Mike Eschmann’s Breakout.

(Translated from French)