Berlinale: Grand Jury Prize for Swiss film LA MIF
04.03.2021
The Swiss film LA MIF (THE FAM) by Frédéric Baillif has been honoured with the Grand Prix for the Best Film in the 14plus competition at the Berlinale.
LA MIF was produced by Geneva-based Freshprod together with RTS Radio Télévision Suisse. The prize is endowed with 7’500 Euro. In 2018, the Swiss film FORTUNA by Germinal Roaux was awarded in the same section.
Director Baillif, who originally trained as a social worker, tells of the crises and conflicts among a group of teenage girls who are living as companions in fate at a home for youth. LA MIF was created in close collaboration with the young actresses who were involved in the development of the characters. The film insightfully depicts the fragility of social structures and explores the question of what it may mean to be part of a family.
Jury statement:
“Like a rushing, energetic, pulsing heartbeat, this film pushes its characters and viewers in brutal honesty through different stories and incidents. Carried by captivating and strong acting performances it never loses its balance between power and vulnerability. The film pulls you in, never let’s go and hits straight to the heart.”
The winners were announced by the jury in a live stream during the Industry Event. The award ceremony will take place at the Berlinale Summer Special in June.
More information:
Webnews SWISS FILMS: Swiss films at the Berlinale
About the film and its director
Award of the Berlinale Talents
The Swiss production WIR WAREN KUMPEL (ONCE WE WERE PITMAN) by Jonas Matauschek and Christian Johannes Koch won the Kompagnon–Fellowship for further project development as part of Berlinale Talents. The documentary film (in production) is a Swiss-German coproduction by Catpics AG in Zurich.
Further information:
SWISS FILMS, March 4, 2021