AWARDS OF THE ECUMENICAL JURY

The Ecumenical Jury at the 37th World Film Festival Montréal 2013, appointed by SIGNIS and INTERFILM for the 35th year in a row, has given its Prize to the film

Chce sie zyg / La vie est belle / Life Feels Good
by Maciej Pieprzyca, Poland 2013

A subtle cinematic language reveals the constrained world of Mateusz who is unable to communicate. The film opens his inner world, the viewer experiences his triumph when he discovers and asserts his will. The film explores his human consciousness, his relationships with others, including his romantic experiences. The director avoids exploiting his suffering, instead the film allows the viewer’s emotional responses to develop, leading us to examine our own attitudes and relationships.

And two Commendations to the following films:

The Ferry / Le Ferry
directed by Shi Wei, China 2013

This visually stunning cinematic parable about a father and son evokes larger themes of fidelity, modernity, and community set in a rural Chinese village.

and

A Thousand Times Goodnight / Mille fois
directed by Erik Poppe, Norway 2013

The film explores the profound tension between one’s personal and public life and the ambiguity of observing and reporting the sorrow and suffering of others.

The Jury 2013:
René TESSIER, president (Quebec)
Olivier LEFEBURE du Bus - France
Benny PUNNASSERY - India
Jeffrey MAHAN - United States
Gordon MATTIES - Canada
Anita UZULNIECE – Latvia