“La forteresse” wins Grand Prize in Montreal and Audience Award in Florence
24.11.2008
Fernand Melgar’s film “La forteresse” was honoured with the Grand Prix, which is the Camera-Stylo Award presented by the Cinémathèque québécoise, at the 11th Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montréal RIDM (November 13-23, 2008). In addition, Karine Sudan was presented an Honourable Mention by the jury for the editing of the film. Furthermore, the majority of the audience at the 49th Festival dei Popoli in Florence (November 14-21, 2008) voted for “La forteresse” as the recipient of the festival’s Audience Award. The film about the reception centre for asylum-seekers in Vallorbe received an Honourable Mention from the jury of the “Ente dello Spettacolo” Foundation as well.
The jury of the RIDM festival in Montreal stated ist decision as follows: “A remarkably sensitive film exhibiting profound human intelligence. Discreetly and masterfully realised, but never voyeuristic and with a message that is directly and evocatively conveyed”.
“La forteresse” won the Golden Leopard in the Filmmakers of the Present section at the Locarno International Film Festival. The effect that the film had on the audience at that time – and since – has also been confirmed by the number of admissions in cinemas in the French-speaking region of Switzerland: nearly 20,000 people have already seen the film. Ist social relevance and Fernand Melgar’s sensitivity as a director has contributed to a great deal of recognition for the film, also internationally: “La forteresse” was well received at festivals in Vienna, Seville and Montreal and won the Grand Prize in Teheran.
Zurich, November 24, 2008
“La forteresse” won the Golden Leopard in the Filmmakers of the Present section at the Locarno International Film Festival. The effect that the film had on the audience at that time – and since – has also been confirmed by the number of admissions in cinemas in the French-speaking region of Switzerland: nearly 20,000 people have already seen the film. Ist social relevance and Fernand Melgar’s sensitivity as a director has contributed to a great deal of recognition for the film, also internationally: “La forteresse” was well received at festivals in Vienna, Seville and Montreal and won the Grand Prize in Teheran.
Zurich, November 24, 2008