Status: 02/16/2022 8:42 p.m
The drama “Alcarràs” was awarded the Golden Bear for the best film at the Berlinale. Actress Meltem Kaptan won the Silver Bear for her role as the mother of former Guantanamo prisoner Kurnaz.
The international Berlinale jury, headed by US director M. Night Shyamalan, awarded the main prizes at the 72nd Berlin Film Festival. The Spanish-Italian drama “Alcarràs” by Carla Simón about peach farmers in Spain won the Golden Bear.
Actress Meltem Kaptan was awarded a Silver Bear for her leading role in the drama Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush.
The film’s screenwriter, Laila Stieler, also received a Silver Bear. German filmmaker Andreas Dresen directed the film. The film tells how the mother of longtime Guantánamo prisoner Murat Kurnaz tries to free her son from the US prison camp.
18 films from 17 production countries
At this year’s film festival in Berlin, 18 films from 17 production countries competed for the Golden Bear for best film and the Silver Bear for best director and best acting, among other things.
In addition to “Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush” there was also “AEIOU – The Fast Alphabet of Love” by German director Nicolette Krebitz about a couple in love with a big age difference.
Directing Award for Claire Denis
French director Claire Denis received the Silver Bear for Best Director. She was honored for her film “Avec amour et acharnement” with Juliette Binoche and Vincent Lindon. It’s about a woman whose life is thrown into turmoil when an ex-partner resurfaces.
Director Natalia López Gallardo received the Jury Prize for her drama “Robe of Gems” about three women in Mexico who get into conflict with the drug trade in different ways.
The short story “The Novelist’s Film” won the Grand Jury Prize. In it, South Korean director Hong Sangsoo tells the story of a writer who meets different people throughout the day. Last year, the filmmaker had already won the screenplay prize for his black-and-white film “Introduction”.
No more gender segregation
The Berlinale no longer awards acting prizes according to gender, but for the best acting performance in leading and supporting roles.
The Silver Bear for Best Supporting Actor went to Laura Basuki for the Indonesian story “Nana”. The collage “Everything Will Be Ok” by Cambodian Rithy Panh was honored for a special artistic achievement.
Honorary Golden Bear for Isabelle Huppert
The French film and theater actress Isabelle Huppert had previously been awarded the Honorary Golden Bear for her life’s work. Huppert could not be present in person because of a positive corona test, but was connected via video from Paris. The director Laurent Larivière received her honorary bear on her behalf. His film “À propos de Joan”, in which Huppert plays a leading role, was then shown.
The organizers of the 72nd Berlinale praised Huppert as “one of the world’s most versatile character actresses”. She has acted in numerous films throughout her career, including by directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol and Michael Haneke.
Heiner Carow Prize for cameraman Starman
The Heiner Carow Prize, which is worth 5,000 euros, went to cameraman Rafael Starman this year. He was thus honored for the feature film “Violence”, which was screened at the Berlinale in the newcomer series “Perspektive Deutsches Kino”. In a world full of brutality, Starman creates an incredible poetry with his image composition, the jury judged.
With the award, the DEFA Foundation commemorates the director Heiner Carow. The foundation preserves the legacy of the GDR film company and promotes German film art and culture with prizes.
Berlinale under Corona conditions
Despite the pandemic, the Berlinale will again take place with an audience this year. However, only half of the cinema halls are occupied. Only people who have been vaccinated against the corona virus or have recovered from an infection have access.
The Berlinale will continue with public days until Sunday.