As a cinephile who has traversed the seven seas of cinema, I must say that this year’s PÖFF lineup was nothing short of a cinematic odyssey. The diverse array of films, each with its unique flavor and storytelling, was a testament to the boundless creativity and passion of filmmakers worldwide.
The 28th Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) concluded on November 22 with an award ceremony in Tallinn. During this event, filmmakers emphasized the importance of ending conflicts in the Middle East, offering support to Georgia amidst Russian influences, and preserving cultural values.
Initially, it was Farah Nabulsi, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker with both British and Palestinian heritage, who boldly addressed political issues. Her debut film “The Teacher” won the Dennis Davidson Spotlight Award, an honor that promotes diversity, inclusion, and representation in cinema. This was her pioneering move.
The movie titled ‘The Teacher’ was filmed in the West Bank, which is under military occupation and colonization in Palestine, about two years ago. I never thought our film would find itself at such a pivotal moment in the conversation about Palestine as Israel carries out genocide – a heinous act – in Gaza right now. I truly feel that cinema can influence global awareness on social issues, and this award recognizes that sentiment.
Portuguese filmmaker Takashi Sugimoto, who hails from Japan and won the Jury Prize with his documentary “Black Gold” at the Doc@PÖFF Competition, expressed similar sentiments on stage, saying, “Gaza’s predicament deeply moves me. I hope we can find a way to connect and discuss this important issue.
Israeli filmmaker Nir Bergman, honored as the best director from the main competition jury for his drama “Pink Lady,” spoke out about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East with a strong message. “What matters most to us at this moment is the safe return of the 101 hostages and an end to the war,” he emphasized.
Lana Gogoberidze expressed concern about her country’s situation under Russian influence, stating that they have struggled for independence for centuries and are once again facing danger. She emphasized the importance of solidarity as a means to offer help and hope to those in need.
As a movie enthusiast, I found myself amidst an unwelcoming political climate at PÖFF, a festival that proudly supports Ukraine. The State Film Agency of Ukraine applied pressure, urging the festival to exclude the feature “Deaf Lovers” by exiled Russian filmmaker Boris Guts, even before its world premiere in the main competition on November 17th.
As a movie reviewer, I must share my thoughts on a film shot amidst the enchanting backdrop of Istanbul. This Estonian-Serbian production, however, has sparked controversy due to its portrayal of a tumultuous romance between a Ukrainian woman and a Russian man. Critics argue that it lacks authenticity in representing the true experiences of Ukrainians, leading to confusion about their reality.
Regarding the “Deaf Lovers” controversy, Lokk, who established the renowned festival in 1997, shared with EbMaster that during the initial week of the festival, some of the positive energy was diverted to address hostile online criticisms.
As a movie lover, I’ve faced amicable persuasions from various entities and officials in the past, but nothing on this magnitude. Now, it’s water under the bridge; we’re back on friendly terms, and the director’s screening and interviews unequivocally demonstrated his anti-war stance. Moving forward, our commitment remains unwavering to champion independent voices and extend invitations to filmmakers whose work embodies democratic ideals.
The festival honored films as mirrors of our world from November 8th to the 24th. In her closing remarks, Lokk beamed with pride: “We’ve had an amazing 16-day journey, featuring over 250 feature films, 350 short films from 81 different countries, international attendees from 60 nations, more than 800 screenings, and attendance surpassing last year’s 88,400 admissions – an impressive feat for a city with just 457,000 residents, although the final figures weren’t available at the time of the press release.
PÖFF Winners
At the PÖFF Grand Prix ceremony, the award for best film was given to the Mongolian production titled “Silent City Driver.” This movie is written and directed by Sengedorj Janchivdorj, who previously won the Audience Award at Tartuffe 2023, PÖFF’s summer outdoor festival, for his previous work “The Sales Girl.
The movie’s plot revolves around a mysterious hearse driver who deals with the isolation and injustice that plague his troubled existence. This unexpected dark folk tale from Mongolia left quite an impression on the jury, led by German filmmaker Christoph Hochhäusler (“Till the End of the Night,” “I Am Guilty”).
Right from the opening scene, the movie felt like it was blazing a trail in cinematic territory. “Silent City Driver” boasts an impressive style, yet here, style is not merely superficial; instead, it serves to enrich and intensify the world on screen, teeming with distinct, larger-than-life characters who manage to remain relatable and human. This visually stunning production was also recognized for its exceptional set design.
In the same category of the competition, experienced Israeli filmmaker Nir Bergman (“Broken Wings,” “BeTipul”), was awarded the title of Best Director for “Pink Lady”, a thought-provoking drama revolving around queer themes within ultra-Orthodox communities in Jerusalem. MK2 is responsible for handling worldwide distribution.
In the acting categories, Pirjo Lonka and Elina Knihtilä jointly received the Best Actress award for their roles as two contrasting sisters in the Finnish comedy “100 Litres of Gold,” directed by Teemu Nikki (known for “The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See Titanic). Meanwhile, Lee Hyo-Ye was recognized as the Best Actor for his performance in the Korean thriller “The Loop.
The captivating Turkish drama “Realm of the Hare,” penned by Seyfettin Tokmak, was praised as ‘melancholic, reflective, tragic, and thought-provoking’ by the judges. This profound production clinched awards for both exceptional screenplay and stunning cinematography.
In the initial competitive category, the German film “No Dogs Allowed,” directed by Oscar-nominated student Steve Bache, was chosen as the best movie by a jury led by marketing veteran John Durie. He commented: “Bache has crafted a film that is relevant for both today and tomorrow, tackling one of society’s most sensitive and contentious topics – online grooming and pedophilia. Yet, it is handled with utmost sensitivity and vulnerability due to the exceptional acting, particularly the powerful performances of the two main characters.
At the Baltic Film competition, Lithuania solidified its leading role in fiction production among Baltic countries. The film “The Southern Chronicles” by Ignas Miškinis and “Drowning Dry” by Laurynas Bareiša were honored with film and directing awards respectively. As Alissa Simon from EbMaster described, “Drowning Dry,” Lithuania’s Oscar contender, is an innovative examination of trauma that challenges and overturns traditional dramatic tropes. Recently, this thought-provoking work was chosen for distribution in the United States by Dekanolog after a deal with sales company Alpha Violet.
In addition to “The Watchman,” a French-Belgian documentary that premiered in the Doc@PÖFF Competition, the lineup also featured “The Protected Men,” a German satirical thriller from the Rebels with a Cause program, and “The Brothers Kitaura,” a Japanese father-son comedy shown in the Critics’ Picks strand.
Several films that received multiple accolades were among them: “Mongrels” by first-time director Jerome Yoo from Canada, which won the Fipresci Award and the Special Prize for its cast in the First Film Competition, and “Kontra” by Jonas Risvig from Denmark, which was honored in the children’s and youth section with the Just Film Grand Prix and the best film prize chosen by the Just Film Youth Jury.
During the final event, it was revealed that Catalonia would be the spotlight in the Black Nights Focus for the year 2025, taking over from Germany who held this position in 2021.
Official Selection Competition
Best Film, “Silent City Driver”, Sengedorj Janchivdorj (Mongolia)
Best Director, “Pink Lady,” Nir Bergman (Israel/Italy)
Best Cinematography, “Empire of the Rabbits,” Seyfettin Tokmak (Turkey, Croatia, Mexico, Lebanon)
Best Script, “Empire of the Rabbits,” Seyfettin Tokmak (Turkey, Croatia, Mexico, Lebanon)
Best Actress, ex æquo Pirjo Lonka and Elina Knihtilä for “100 Litres of Gold” (Finland, Italy)
Best Actor, Hyo Je Lee for “The Loop” (South Korea)
2021’s Best Original Score goes to Alyana Cabral, Moe Cabral for the moving composition titled “Some Nights I Feel Like Walking”, which was produced in the Philippines, Singapore, and Italy.
Best Production Design, Munkhbat Shirnenfor “Silent City Driver” (Mongolia)
First Feature Competition
Best Film Award, “No Dogs Allowed,”Steve Bache (Germany)
Best Director: “A Yard of Jackals,” Diego Figueroa (Chile, Spain)
The Special Jury Prize for the acting ensemble goes to: Sein Jin, Jae-Hyun Kim, Da-Nu Nam, Candyce Weir, Jedd Sharp, Morgan Derera, Sangbum Kang – for their outstanding performances in “Mongrels” (Canada)
Jury Special Prize for the Director: “Ciao Bambino,” Edgardo Pistone (Italy)
Baltic Film Competition
Best Baltic Film Award, “Southern Chronicles,”Ignas Miškinis(Lithuania, Estonia)
Best Director, “Drowning Dry,” Laurynas Bareiša(Latvia, Lithuania)
Critics’ Picks Competition
Best Film Award, “Brothers Kitaura,”Masaki Tsujino (Japan)
Best Director, “I, The Song,” Dechen Roder(Bhutan, Norway, Italy, France)
Jury Special Mention, “Fishgirl,” 2024, Javier Cutrona (Ecuador)
Rebels with a Cause Competition
Best Film Award, “Protected Men,” Irene von Alberti(Germany);
Best Director, “Contact Lens,” Ruiqi Lu(China)
Doc@PÖFF Competition
Best Film Award, “The Watchman,” Victoire Bonin, Lou de Pontavice (France, Belgium)
Best Cinematographer, Linas Žiūra for “Murmuring Hearts” (Lithuania, France)
Jury Special Prize, “Black Gold,” Takashi Sugimoto(Portugal)
International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci)
“Mongrels”, Jerome Yoo (Canada)
Audience Award
“Pyre,” Vinod Kapri (India)
Youth Film and Children Film Festival Just Film Awards
Just Film #Young Filmmaker Award
“40 Days For Inge,” Betra Käsper (Estonia)
I’m thrilled to have supported the award-winning film, “Niko – Beyond the Northern Light,” directed by Kari Juusonen. This beautiful production hails from Finland, Germany, Ireland, and Denmark.
Just Film Children’s Best Film Award
“I Accidentally Wrote a Book!”, Nóra Lakos (Hungary, Holland)
Just Film Youth Best Film Award
“Kontra,” Jonas Risvig (Denmark)
Jury Special Mention
“Rolling Papers”, Meel Paliale (Estonia)
Just Film EFCA Award
“Living Large,” Kristina Dufková (Czech Republic, France, Slovakia)
Just Film Grand Prix
“Kontra”
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2024-11-24 15:48