Tereza Nvotová’s “father” won the Golden Eye Award at the Zurich Film Festival.
It is on display at the feature film competition – dedicated to the first, second and third feature films by emerging directors – the drama of Slovak and Polish touched ju judges Reinald Marcus Green, Leony Benesh, Carlo Crestodina, Arias Galli and Nicole Reinhard.
“We were deeply moved by the crafts and humanity of this film,” they said, discussing the story of “an ordinary family facing extraordinary circumstances.”
“The central character is neither a villain nor a hero, but he is a flawed person caught up in a single, catastrophic mistake. The film shows that that mistake can crush what we love most.
Zurich director Christian Jungen called “The Father” a “a seductive thriller that takes you on a roller coaster.” “The film is a medium of empathy, and this film shapes the understanding of a man who made a terrible mistake but is not evil,” he said.
With the “father,” the world premiered in Venice and recently selected as an entry in Slovakia’s Oscar, the father accidentally causes tragedy. Dušan Budzak, co-writer of Nvotová, is based on the story of his friends.
“I continued reading about it, that ‘forgotten baby syndrome.’ She told Variety earlier.
“We had that personal connection for Dushan, but then we left. All of these stories were very similar. Most of the time, it happens to very loving parents. To all the old, young people, it comes from all social classes. If you want to simplify it, I say it’s a memory failure.
Two special mentions in this category went to “Love Letter” by Alice Doard and “Left-Handed Girls,” directed by Sheeting Ching Tsow.
Earlier this year, Variety’s Jessica Kian wrote: “The “Left-handed Girl” is a sure and lovely portrait of a daughter with difficult motherhood and pain, but perhaps she is most enthralled with the director’s turning kaleidoscope view of the native city.
Another Goldeneye went to “I Love You, I Leave You” by Moris Freiburghaus, based in Zurich.
“We’ve never seen anything like that before. When filming his battle with his best friend Manic episode over the course of a year, Morris Freiburgaus’ bold directorial debut gives us a surprising view of mental illness, friendship and unwavering bonds between family.”
Jungen called the Freiburghaus documentary “a love letter to friendship and a film by a very talented director with a long festival career.”
“I Love You, I Leave You” also won a special mention and an Audience Award from ZFF Critics.
Ilsa Loka Fanberg and Namir Abdel Messie’s “Living After Siham” – “Made with a bold spirit shaped by a director deeply rooted in the cinema tradition,” “Last Siham Life” was awarded Zurich’s award, and “The Ground Beneath Our Foot” was awarded the film’s award.
“I love you, I’ll leave you” Team at the Zurich Film Festival
Dominique Wenger
Complete list of awards:
Feature film competition
Director of “Father.” Tereza Nvotová
Special mention
“Love Letter”, dir. Alice Douard
“Left-handed girl,” dir. Seat two
Documentary Film Competition
“I love you, I’ll leave you,” Dil said. Morris Freibulgaus
Special mention
“The Ground Beneath Our Foot” Yrsa Roca Fannberg
Director of “Life After Shiham.” Namir Abdel Messy
ZFF Critics Jury Award
Director of “The Memory of Princess Mumbai.” Damian Hauser
Special notes
“I love you, I’ll leave you,” Dil said. Morris Freibulgaus
ZFF for Kids Jury Award
“Der Prank” dir. Benjamin Heisenberg
ZFF for Kids Audience Award
“Der Prank” dir. Benjamin Heisenberg
Audience Award
“I love you, I’ll leave you,” Dil said. Morris Freibulgaus
Zurich Church Film Awards
Director of “Life After Shiham.” Namir Abdel Messy
Best International Film Music
Mikal Grigorowitsch
Golden Eye Award
Dakota Johnson
Benedict Cumberbatch
Claire Foy
Wagner Moola
Lifetime Achievement Award
Russell Crowe
Golden Icon Award
Colin Farrell
…Homage to the award
Noah Bambach
Career Achievement Award
Anne Walther
Hildur Guðnadóttir
Game Changer Award
Tom Quinn
