the goan I network
PANAJI
The French-Swiss co-produced film “Les Particules” directed by Blaise Harrison bagged the Golden Peacock award for best film at the 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which concluded on Thursday.
The award - which includes a trophy, certificate and cash prize of Rs 40 lakhs to be shared jointly between the producer and director - was received by producer Estelle Fialon. Harrison could not make it to the closing ceremony of the IFFI, but a short video in which he expresses his gratitude for the award for shown to the audience. Harrison is seen carrying his three week old baby for a few seconds in the video, explaining the reason for his absence at the award ceremony.
The first time feature film director thanked IFFI several times while saying there was no better encouragement than an award like the Golden Peacock for a first time feature film director.
The five member jury, chaired by John Bailey, the former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said that ‘Les Particules’ is an “ambitious yet modest film about the mysteries of being a teenager.”
The Silver Peacock award for ‘Best Director’ was conferred on Malayali director Lijo Jose Pellissery for his film ‘Jallikattu.’ ‘Jallikattu’ is a Malayalam film which portrays a remote village where a buffalo escapes and causes a frenzy of ecstatic violence.
The jury said that they honour the “intricate and complex choreography of this very original and anarchic film.” The award comprises a trophy, citation and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakhs.
The Silver Peacock award for Best Actor (Female) was bagged by Indian actress Usha Jadhav for her portrayal of ‘Prabha Mai’, in the Marathi film ‘Mai Ghatt: Crime No. 103/2005,’ directed by Anant Mahadevan. Jadhav got the prize for her “understated and powerful performance of a mother defending her child’s honour against the injustice of a corrupt system.”
The Silver Peacock award for Best Actor (Male) was bagged by Brazilian actor
Jorge Mário da Silva (Seu Jorge) for his portrayal of Carlos Marighella in the Brazilian film ‘Marighella’ directed by Wagner Moura. He bagged the award for “the powerful and charismatic portrayal of a revolutionary, very relevant in our increasingly authoritarian times.” Moura collected the award on Jorge’s behalf.
Both Best Actor (Male) and Best Actor (Female) were honoured with the Silver Peacock Trophy, certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs each.
The Special Jury Award went to Pema Tseden’s Chinese film ‘Balloon.’ Set in Tibetan grasslands, ‘Balloon’ got the prize for “the beauty of the film language and the authenticity of the actors.” The Special Jury Award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakhs, a Silver Peacock Award and a citation.
The ‘Best Debut Feature Film of a Director’ was shared by Algerian director Amin Sidi Boumediene for his film ‘Abou Leila’, and Romanian director Marius Olteanu for his film ‘Monsters.’
‘Abou Leila’ tells the tale of two childhood friends who crossed the desert in search of Abu Leila, a dangerous terrorist. ‘Monsters’ tells the story of a relationship in three chapters that describes the current state of a couple over 24 hours. The award consists of the Silver Peacock trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs.
The jury also gave a special mention to the Gujarati film ‘Hellaro’ directed by Abhishek Shah. ‘Hellaro’ earned a special mention for its “incredible music, and colour and graceful choreography.” Though the story is set 45 years ago, the issue of women empowerment portrayed in the film is even more relevant today, said the jury.
The Italian film ‘Rwanda’ directed by Riccardo Salvetti won the ICFT “UNESCO Gandhi Medal. (The ICFT “UNESCO Gandhi Medal was instituted by the International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication, Paris and UNESCO. The medal bears a portrait of Gandhi engraved by the French artist Pierre-Yves Tremois. Etched underneath is the Mahatma’s message of hope : “In the midst of darkness, light prevails.”)
The Indian movie ‘Bahattar Hoorain’, directed by Sanjay P. Singh Chauhan earned a special mention in the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi medal category.
The closing ceremony of IFFI also saw the cast of closing film “Marghe and her mother” from Italy come up on stage and express how they felt. “Marghe and her mother” made its Indian debut at the 50th IFFI.
The closing ceremony was hosted by actors Sonali Kulkarni and Arjun Kapoor, and saw a lot of Indian politicians from the Center and State present.
Indian music legend from Tamil Nadu, Illaiaraaja was felicitated by the Ministry for Information and Broadcasting, at the closing ceremony.
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40% rise in IFFI
turnout this year
>> 10,200 delegates were active participants
>> UK had most number of foreign officials
>> See pg 3
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RAINS PLAY
SPOIL SPORT
>> Spectators and delegates who were moving in and out of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium were caught unawares with the sudden downpour
>> See pg 3
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