Ida, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
IDA, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski is the winner of Official Competition Best Film award at the 57th BFI London Film Festival which ran October 9 to 20, 2013. Philip French, recent BFI Fellow and President of the Official Competition jury said, “The jury greatly admired Ida, the first film made in his native Poland by a director who came to prominence while living in Britain. We were deeply moved by a courageous film that handles, with subtlety and insight, a painfully controversial historical situation – the German occupation and the Holocaust – which continues to resonate. Special praise went to his use of immersive visual language to create a lasting emotional impact.”
Ilo Ilo, directed by Anthony Chen
The Sutherland Award presented to the director of the most original and imaginative feature debut in the Festival went to Anthony Chen, the director of ILO ILO, described as a devastating study of a modern affluent family and its vulnerabilities.
MY FATHERS, MY MOTHER AND ME
The Best Documentary Award was awarded to MY FATHERS, MY MOTHER AND ME, a portrait of Friedrichshof, the largest commune in Europe, founded by the Viennese Actionist Otto Mühl in the 1970s and the devastating emotional effects on its residents. The jury also commended CUTIE & THE BOXER for the original and creative way in which the filmmakers crafted an intimate portrait of a relationship, as well as Greg Baker’s compelling MANHUNT which gave the audience extraordinary access to usually unreachable secret intelligence operatives. The exquisite cinematography of PIPELINE was also recognized and commended.
Starred Up
The Best British Newcomer award which honors new and emerging film talent, recognizing the achievements of a new writer, producer, director, actor or actress went to screenwriter Jonathan Asser, for his debut feature STARRED UP whose title refers to the practice of placing violent young offenders prematurely in adult prison. The jury also highly commended the performances of nominees Conner Chapman and Shaun Thomas for their roles in THE SELFISH GIANT.