As a seasoned cinephile with over three decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that Scandar Copti’s “Happy Holidays” has truly left an indelible mark on me. Having traversed the cinematic landscapes of various countries and cultures, I can confidently assert that this Israel-set family drama is a standout in its exploration of complexities between genders, generations, and cultures.
On Sunday, Palestinian director Scandar Copti’s Israel-based family drama “Happy Holidays” was awarded the highest honor, the Golden Alexander for Best Feature Film, at the Thessaloniki Film Festival.
Copti’s second film, released following his Academy Award-nominated 2009 debut “Ajami,” was showcased in the Venice Film Festival’s Horizons section, and it earned the award for best screenplay. EbMaster‘s Siddhant Adlakha characterized it as a compelling, authentic family drama that highlights significant moments, exposing the intricate cultural and political aspects related to gender and ethnicity.
Happy Holidays” presents four diverse characters living in Haifa, Israel’s third largest city, each offering a glimpse into their individual worlds. The story delves into the intricacies of gender, age, and cultural differences. The ensemble, made up of both Arab and Jewish individuals, paints a rich tapestry of life experiences in this multicultural setting.
The Thessaloniki panel, comprised of filmmaker and producer Sara Driver (“Boom for Real”), filmmaker Denis Côté (“Vic + Flo Saw a Bear”) and producer Konstantinos Kontovrakis (“How to Have Sex”), commended the movie for skillfully intertwining multiple narratives and viewpoints that comprehensively reveal the intricate societal divisions based on nationality, gender, and class. They also appreciated the film’s foresight in portraying a young woman as a symbol of the future.
Leonardo van Dijl’s first film, “Julie Keeps Quiet,” which was selected for Cannes Critics’ Week and represents Belgium in the international feature film competition, received the Silver Alexander award for Best Director. The jury praised the movie as a “powerfully quiet psychological film” that is “beautifully crafted, acted, and filmed.” EbMaster‘s Guy Lodge was equally impressed by van Dijl’s “tightly wound, artistically muted debut feature.
In the acting categories, Mahmood Bakri was awarded Best Actor for his portrayal as a Palestinian refugee stuck in Athens in the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight premiere “To a Land Unknown,” while Joana Santos received Best Actress for her leading role as a warehouse worker in Laura Carreira’s film “On Falling.” This film also shared the Best Directing award at San Sebastian.
In the “Meet the Neighbors+” segment of the festival, featuring debut or second films from 36 countries spanning Southeastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, the top feature film award, the Golden Alexander, was given to “Vittoria,” directed by Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffman. The jury appreciated the movie, a poignant portrayal of a content mother of three in Naples who experiences an overwhelming desire for a daughter after years of marriage, as a thought-provoking, emotional, and unique exploration of the delicate topic of adoption that left both the audience and us in tears.
The award for Best Director in this section was given to Laila Abbas, director of “Thank You for Banking With Us,” who impressed the jury by skillfully telling a compelling story about everyday life from a female perspective within the context of Palestine’s patriarchy and political climate. Her unique approach, which includes thought-provoking narrative elements and unexpected humor, effectively catches the audience off guard.
In the “Meet the Neighbors+” section, awards for acting were given to Volodymyr Kravchuk for his role in Pavlo Ostrikov’s “U Are the Universe” and Antonia Zegers for her performance in “The Exiles,” by Belén Funes. Additionally, Elvira Lara, who co-starred with Zegers, as well as the entire cast of Christos Massalas’ “Killerwood,” were all given special recognition.
In the segment of the Film Forward competition highlighting groundbreaking filmmaking, the Golden Alexander was awarded to Matthew Rankin’s “Universal Language,” Canada’s nomination for the Oscars, whereas the Silver Alexander was bestowed upon Noaz Deshe’s “Xoftex.
The Thessaloniki Film Festival runs Oct. 31 – Nov. 10.
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2024-11-10 18:46