Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s “A Useful Ghost” has picked up Critics Week’s Grand Prize.
The movie has been gaining traction among journalists ever since its debut, captivating them with its unusual yet heartwarming tale. This story revolves around a woman who tragically passes away due to dust pollution, and her husband’s astonishment when he discovers that her spirit has been reborn – inside a vacuum cleaner.
Thailand is famed for its horror films, but we also have a genre less likely to be popular overseas – horror-comedy. However, this movie aims to break away from traditional horrors and comedies. One of my initial thoughts was about the existence of ghosts in today’s world. Could they possibly hold down jobs? Given that living costs here are quite high now.
The panel of judges, led by Rodrigo Sorogoyen and comprising Jihane Bougrine, Josée Deshaies, Yulina Evina Bhara, and Daniel Kaluuya, additionally honored the film “Imago” directed by Déni Oumar Pitsaev.
In the movie, Deni receives a piece of untamed land in the Pankissi valley and envisions it as the perfect spot to construct his long-desired treehouse. However, nothing in the unyielding Caucasus region is straightforward. Upon revisiting a village situated close to the Chechen border where he was born, Deni reawakens dormant conflicts.
The “Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award” was presented to Théodore Pellerin for his role in the film “Nino,” directed by Pauline Loquès.
In addition to other awards given out, the SACD Prize, presented by France’s Writers’ Guild, was bestowed upon Guillermo Galoe and Victor Alonso-Berbel, the joint screenwriters of “Sleepless City” (also known as “Ciudad sin sueño”), for their work on this production.
Under Galoe’s direction, a captivating Spanish-French production unfolds, portraying a melodious and sophisticated yet deeply rooted perspective on a fragmenting Roma family in La Cañada Real, known as Europe‘s largest shanty town. Their traditional lifestyle is dwindling as the inhabitants are relocated to impersonal high-rise flats on the outskirts of Madrid.
The movie aims to avoid glamorizing La Cañada Real, instead posing thought-provoking questions. It shows a world that’s vanishing, yet for what purpose? A world characterized by intense capitalism, nervous anxiety, and excessive connectivity, yet sorely lacking in genuine connections. There seems to be no sense of community in large cities. The question then arises: do we need to sacrifice everything?” Galoe explained to EbMaster.
The distributor, Le Pacte from France, received the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution in recognition of their work on “The Left-Handed Girl” by Shih-Ching Tsou.
Here’s the full list of awards:
Grand Prize
“A Useful Ghost” by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke
French Touch Prize of the Jury
“Imago” by Déni Oumar Pitsaev
Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award
Théodore Pellerin for “Nino” by Pauline Loquès
Leitz Cine Discovery Prize for Short Film
“L’mina” by Randa Maroufi
Awards given by partners
Gan Foundation Award for Distribution
Le Pacte, French distributor for “Left-Handed Girl” by Shih-Ching Tsou
SACD Award
Guillermo Galoe and Victor Alonso-Berbel, authors of “Sleepless City”
Canal+ Award for Short Film
“Erogenesis” de Xandra Popescu
Read More
- Who Is Harley Wallace? The Heartbreaking Truth Behind Bring Her Back’s Dedication
- 50 Ankle Break & Score Sound ID Codes for Basketball Zero
- Here’s Why Your Nintendo Switch 2 Display Looks So Blurry
- 100 Most-Watched TV Series of 2024-25 Across Streaming, Broadcast and Cable: ‘Squid Game’ Leads This Season’s Rankers
- 50 Goal Sound ID Codes for Blue Lock Rivals
- How to play Delta Force Black Hawk Down campaign solo. Single player Explained
- Elden Ring Nightreign Enhanced Boss Arrives in Surprise Update
- Jeremy Allen White Could Break 6-Year Oscars Streak With Bruce Springsteen Role
- MrBeast removes controversial AI thumbnail tool after wave of backlash
- KPop Demon Hunters: Real Ages Revealed?!
2025-05-21 21:48