List of the awards:
Award for Best Feature Film
"Original" directed by Antonio Tublén and Alexander Br?ndsted
Jury Comments: Using this title for a film is dangerous, almost suicidal. But the film more than met the challenge the title lays down. A light, touching and subversive study of mental illness that is compassionate and never sentimental. From the opening image of a fish tank being peeled open to the Mexican wrestlers tumbling in the heroes’ mind we know we had found the best film …… ORGINAL!
Jury Grand Prix
"The Search" directed by Pema Tseden
Jury Comments: The most challenging film we saw, almost a meditation in patience as well as an exercise in it for the viewer, uncompromising but funny and humane too. We look forward to many more films from Tibet.
Jury Award
"Empire of Silver" directed by Christina Yao
Jury Comments: To the director and her cast and crew for the detail and craft on such an epic scale and in such extraordinary locations. And for reminding us, especially at this time that bankers should be kind and righteous.
Award for Best Director
Julius Sevcik for "Normal"
Jury Comments: A dazzling and technically bold director in command of all elements delivering his challenging vision of the serial killer genre.
Award for Best Actor
Sverrir Gudnason in "Original" directed by Antonio Tublén and Alexander Br?ndsted
Jury Comments: Is he acting, fantasizing, fooling everyone – and himself – or is he simply crazy – we never really know. What we know is that this young actor’s brilliant, sensitive, humorous and vulnerable performance is absolutely mesmerizing.
Award for Best Actress
Simone Tang in "Aching Hearts" directed by Nils Malmros
Jury Comments: For the control and clarity of complex emotions perfectly captured by a performance that lures us in until we find ourselves, like the young hero, repulsed.
Award for Best Screenplay
Fabio Bonifacci/ Giulio Manfredonia for "We Can Do That"
Jury Comments: Their screenplay documents with wit and clarity - a true story of the way political philosophy can intersect with social need and build something truly transforming
Award for Best Cinematography
Nicolas Guicheteau / Hans Meier for "Nowhere Promised Land"
Jury Comments: This is the most contentious decision. It is not in the classical tradition but more an acknowledgement that cinematography in the modern era can be about ways of seeing; what you look at and how it looks back at you.
Award for Best Music
Hyoung-woo ROH for "Rough Cut"
Jury Comments: Modern, pulpy, deliberately undermining and enlivening the gangster genre
(Shanghai Daily June 22, 2009)
