'Dahomey' wins top prize at 74th Berlin International Film Festival
The 74th Berlin International Film Festival, known as the Berlinale, concluded with the announcement of its winners at a ceremony held at the Berlinale Palast. Competing for the coveted awards were 20 films, with a jury consisting of esteemed talents from around the world.
Heading the International Jury was Kenyan-Mexican Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, making history as the first black jury president at the event. Nyong'o was joined by notable figures such as Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, Albert Serra, Jasmine Trinca, and Oksana Zabuzhko.
Additionally, the Encounters Jury, composed of Lisandro Alonso, Denis Côté, and Tizza Covi, played a crucial role in selecting winners for categories like Best Film, Best Director, and the Special Jury Award.
The Golden Bear for Best Film was awarded to "Dahomey," a documentary by Franco-Senegalese director Mati Diop. The film delves into the complex issues surrounding Europe's restitution of looted antiquities to Africa. Diop expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasising that the prize honours not only her but also the entire community represented in the film.
South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo received the runner-up Grand Jury Prize for "A Traveller's Needs," his collaboration with French screen legend Isabelle Huppert. Hong, a frequent participant at the festival, humorously acknowledged the jury's decision, stating, "I don't know what you saw in this film."
French auteur Bruno Dumont was honoured with the third-place Jury Prize for "The Empire," a cinematic exploration of good versus evil set in a French fishing village.
Dominican filmmaker Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias was recognized as the Best Director for "Pepe," a thought-provoking docudrama exploring the legacy of a hippopotamus owned by the late Colombian drug baron Pablo Escobar.
The 74th Berlin International Film Festival celebrated diverse voices and compelling narratives, reinforcing its reputation as a platform for cinematic excellence and cultural exchange.
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