Karlovy Vary
49th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
July 4-12, 2014
AWARDS OF THE ECUMENICAL JURY
The Ecumenical Jury at the 49th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival awards its Prize to
Corn Island / Simindis kundzuli
directed by George Ovashvili, Georgia/Germany/France/Czech Republic/Kazakhstan, 2014
Motivation: “Corn Island” is a story of an old man who passes the wisdom of life to his granddaughter. We are invited to reflect on the importance of harmony between man and nature and about the respect and care for others. The film raises attention towards human creativity and the never ending cycle of life. (Photo: Film Servis Festival Karlovy Vary)
Synopsis: An old peasant and his innocent 16-year-old granddaughter sow corn on an island in the middle of the Inguri River dividing Georgia from Abkhazia. The intense bond between nature and the two individuals is disturbed, however, by the arrival of the border police. (Festival information)
In addition, the Jury awards a Commendation to:
Rocks in My Pockets
directed by Signe Baumane, USA/Latvia, 2014
Motivation: “Rocks in My Pockets” is an animated film telling a personal story of a woman, director and illustrator Signe Baumane, who courageously fights with her psychological illness. She tries to understand her uneasy personal situation, and through her artistic work she shows the always fragile but possible balance of her everyday life. (Photo: Film Servis Festival Karlovy Vary)
Synopsis: This writer-director animated film by a Latvian director living in New York City serves up a highly personal statement of a woman struggling with an inherited illness. With humor and courage, the director sets out on a challenging journey to discover her family’s best-kept secret. Baumane is not only director, illustrator, and screenwriter, she also narrates this gutsy movie. (Festival information)
Members of the Jury:
Brigitte Affolter (Switzerland)
Lukas Jirsa (President, Czech Republic)
Joel Ruml (Czech Republic)
Blandine Salles (France)
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(Extraits)
