RETROSPECTIVE

From Polina to Oscar-winner ‘The Shape of Water’ –
a track record of famous premieres

Both the 2016 and 2017 editions of IFFAM have been lauded for shining a light on Asian cinema and for its recognition of new directors and producers.

The opening film in the festival’s first year was “Polina,” directed by Valerie Muller and Angelin Preljocaj. The French drama told the story of a dancer about to enter Moscow’s prestigious Bolshoi Ballet. The Best Film award went to “The Winter.” Best Director was awarded to Marco Martins for the movie “Saint George” starring Nuno Lopes, who won Best actor. Lyndsey Marshal, for her role in “Trespass Against Us,” was named Best Actress, and Jennifer Yu, an actress from Hong Kong, was awarded the Best Young New Actress award for her part in “Sisterhood.”

Under the new artistic director, Mike Goodridge, last year’s festival kicked off with the showing of Paddington 2. Directed by Paul King, this half CGI, half live-action movie – with Hugh Grant playing the villain – delighted audiences.

“Hunting Season” directed by Natalia Garagiola was named Best Film. This Argentine drama had previously won the Audience Award at the 74th Venice International Film Festival. International Star of the Year award was given to Donnie Yen, the Hong Kong film-maker and actor. Samuel Maoz, for the movie “Foxtrot,” was awarded Best Screenplay.

Singled out by Goodridge as the “most broadly accessible film,” “Borg McEnroe,” the tennis drama, was given the Macau Audience Award. A new award was inaugurated in the 2017 – Best Technical Contribution – which went to Benjamin Kračun for his work in “Custody.”

Best Actor and Actress was given to Song Yang and Jessie Buckley respectively, and Xavier Legrand won Best Director for the movie “Custody” the star of which, Thomas Gioria, won the Best New Young Actor or Actress award.

The Jury Prize went to “Wrath of Silence,” and Udo Kier, German-born actor that has more than 200 films in his curriculum, was awarded the Career Achievement Award.

Last year’s IFFAM premiered feature films went on to have extraordinary careers winning awards and multiple nominations worldwide. “The Shape of Water” won the Oscar for Best Picture and “I, Tonia” was awarded the statuette for Best Supporting Actress (Allison Janey) by the Academy.

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THIS SUPPLEMENT IS SPONSORED BY MGTO