IFFK: 'Wajib' wins Suvarana Chakoram for the best film

Thiruvananthapuram: Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir’s new film Wajib, a dark comedy that explores father-son relationship in a Palestinian family living in Israel has won the Suvarana Chakoram (Golden Crow Pheasant) Award for the best film at the 22nd International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), which concluded here on Friday.

The award carries a memento and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh to be shared between its director and producer.

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Thai filmmaker Anucha Boonyawatana was adjudged the best director of the film festival. Her film Malila - The farewell flower won her the coveted Rajatha Chakoram (Silver Crow Pheasant) Award with a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh. The film narrates the tale of two former lovers who reunite and try to heal the wounds of their past.

Franco-Alegerian woman director Rayhana's I Still Hide to Smoke, for which she had to face threats from religious hardliners, won the coveted Rajatha Chakoram for audience poll. An emotional Rayhana, on receiving the award, dedicated the award to all women in the world.

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India's official entry for the Oscars, Newton directed by Amit V Masurkar, won the FIPRESCI Award for best international film. The film also won the award for best film in the NATPAC category.

In the FIPRESCI category, Sanju Surendran's Aedan was selected as the best Malayalam film. Sanju also won the Rajatha Chakoram for best debut director for Aedan which turned out to be a favorite of the delegates, bagging much critical appreciation.

Dileesh Pothen's Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum was awarded the NATPAC prize for best Malayalam film.

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International competition jury's special mention was won by Candeleria, directed by Johnny Hendrix. The film narrates the struggles of an elderly couple in 1990s' Cuba.

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'Wajib' directed by Annemerie Jacir won the Suvarana Chakoram for the best film.

The awards were given away by state finance minister T M Thomas Isaac at the closing ceremony held at a packed Nishagandhi Open Air Auditorium here on Friday.

Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov speaks after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Veteran Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov was honored with the IFFK Lifetime Achievement award at the function. The award was presented by cultural affairs minister A K Balan, who chaired the event.

Franco-Algerian director Rayhana gets emotional after receiving the the Rajatha Chakoram for audience poll for her film 'I Still Hide to Smoke'

Permanent venue in 3 years

Director Dileesh Pothen with the NETPAC Award for best Malayalam film.

Isaac said a new theater complex will be built as the permanent venue for the film festival. The construction of the complex on the campus of Chitranjali Studio in the capital city will be finished within three years, he said. It would cost Rs 100 crore, the minister added.

Sanju Surendran won the Rajatha Chakoram for best debut director for his film Aedan.

“Every citizen has been guaranteed good literacy and development in Kerala. But there are cultural challenges - a consumerist culture spreading all over. It is important in such a time that every citizen enjoys poetry, film and brings culture to mainstream. Therefore the government will always encourage and support such cultural activities in Kerala. The new theater complex will help film lovers to enjoy parallel cinema as well,” he said.

Around 190 films from 25 countries were screened in the festival that began on December 8 with a low-profile ceremony as part of paying homage to the victims of the Cyclone Ockhi that wreaked havoc on the coastal areas of Kerala.

Various categories such as ‘Meet the Directors’, ‘Open Forum’, ‘In Conversation’, and ‘Panel Discussion’ provided the stage for extensive interaction on cinema from across the world. The informative workshops handled by professionals were incorporated to enhance the knowledge of the participants and offer them a platform to learn from the masters.

The five-member international jury was headed by director Marco Muller.

Winners' list

• Suvarana Chakoram for the best film goes to Wajib directed by Annemerie Jacir

• Rajatha Chakoram for best director - Anucha Boonyawatana (Malila- The farewell flower)

• I Still Hide to Smoke directed by Rayhana wins the Rajatha Chakoram for audience poll

• International competition jury's special award – Candeleria, directed by Johnny Hendrix

• Rajatha Chakoram for best debut director – Sanju Surendran (Aedan)

• FIPRESCI Award for best international film goes to Newton directed by Amit V Masurkar

• FIPRESCI Award for best Malayalam film goes to Aedan directed by Sanju Surendran

• NETPAC Award for best Asian film - Newton

• NETPAC Award for best Malayalam film - Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, directed by Dileesh Pothen

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