Two Swiss documentary films awarded at Nyon
02.05.2006
The film «Citywalls – My Own Private Tehran» by Zurich resident and Iranian citizen Afsar Sonia Shafie (Production: Hugofilms, Zurich) won two prizes at this year’s International Documentary Film Festival «Visions du réel», which ended on April 30th. In the «Regards Neufs» section, it was given the film award of the Canton of Waadt, with a prize sum of CHF 5,000. In addition, the «Cinéma Suisse» jury bestowed the film with the Suissimage/Société des auteurs SSA award, which comes with a prize sum of CHF 10,000. «Geisendorf» by Frédéric Baillif received the Télévision Suisse Romande (TSR) award for Best Swiss Film, with a prize sum of CHF 7,000.
For «Citywalls», the four-member jury acknowledges the «astute view of an engaged film» and further states that «due to its sophisticated realization, the film, which was shot from the view of the protagonist, is subtly questioning us, as it reunites three generations of women in resistance.» The three-member «Cinéma Suisse» jury describes the film as «almost a melodrama. It makes us laugh and cry, it surprises us and with its first-person perspective, it reveals an Iranian society which is far removed from our stereotypes.»
In its laudatory speech given for the film «Geisendorf», the same jury states that in «Geisendorf», director Frédéric Baillif found the right distance to describe the hopes and fears of young people looking for a place in society unavailable to them. With its sensual and dynamic imagery, the film invites the audience to be part of a true witness experience.
The «Cinéma Suisse» jury gave an honorable mention to the film «Wintersong – A film on Dakota Suite» by Benny Jaberg and Pascal Hofman (School of Art and Design Zurich) with the following justification: «This thesis film has promise for great future!» Featured in the «Regard Neufs» section, the documentary film develops the portrait of Chris Hooson, singer in the British band Dakota Suite.
Geneva, May 2nd, 2006
In its laudatory speech given for the film «Geisendorf», the same jury states that in «Geisendorf», director Frédéric Baillif found the right distance to describe the hopes and fears of young people looking for a place in society unavailable to them. With its sensual and dynamic imagery, the film invites the audience to be part of a true witness experience.
The «Cinéma Suisse» jury gave an honorable mention to the film «Wintersong – A film on Dakota Suite» by Benny Jaberg and Pascal Hofman (School of Art and Design Zurich) with the following justification: «This thesis film has promise for great future!» Featured in the «Regard Neufs» section, the documentary film develops the portrait of Chris Hooson, singer in the British band Dakota Suite.
Geneva, May 2nd, 2006