57th International Cannes Film Festival
May 12-23, 2004

THE ECUMENICAL JURY AWARDS ITS 30TH PRIZE TO

Diarios de motocicleta (Motorcycle Diaries)
de Walter Salles

Walter Salles employs the traditional and symbolic conventions of the road movie to portray young medical student, Ernesto Guevara’s discovery of compassion for the oppressed in 1950s South America. The audience shares in the origins of the vocation of an iconic revolutionary figure committed to justice. The film draws attention to social and political problems which have not yet been resolved.

AND A COMMENDATION TO

Moolaadé
de Ousmane Sembène

Moolaadé takes a stand against an extreme Islamic position which uses religion abusively to submit young girls to female circumcision. The village women themselves impose a change. In a film which fully uses local colour and detail of African life, Ousmane Sembène combines the traditional with the modern to make the village a film set for his didactic tale.

The 2004 Jury :
Mr Peter Malone, président, Australia  
Mr Cireneu Kuhn, Brasil
Mrs Margrit Frölich, Germany   
Mr Stephan Kaspar, Peru
Mrs Evelyne Selles-Fischer, France   
Mr Carlo Chatrian, Italy

Homepage of the Ecumenical Jury Cannes

See also: Church Film Organisations Honour Ken Loach in Cannes