“Palestine 36,” Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir’s historical drama about a 1936 Palestinian uprising against British rule and Jewish settlers, won the Tokyo Grand Prix for best film at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival in the Competition section. The award carries a cash prize of JPY3 million ($19,545).
Speaking via a remote feed, Jacir said, “This award is really a great, great honor, and it means everything to my team and to myself and all of us that have worked very hard. To make this film and fight for this film to come to life. So, sharing it and receiving this honor. is a beautiful, beautiful thing.
Presenting the award, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said, ”Film can transcend language and cultural barriers, and is an incredibly powerful art form with the power to connect people’s hearts. Unfortunately, divisions are occurring all over the world. Natural disasters are also raging. But film has the incredible power to heal people’s hearts.”
The festival announced its winners Wednesday evening local time in Tokyo, with the second-place special jury prize going to “We Are the Fruits of the Forest,” Rithy Panh’s documentary about the indigenous Bunong people of the director’s native Cambodia. It received JPY500,000 ($3,255).
Best director honors were split between Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis for “Heads or Tails?,” an Italy-set tribute to the classic Western, and Zhang Lu for “Mothertongue,” a drama set in China’s Sichuan district. Each receives JPY300,000 ($1,955).
The best actress prize was another joint award, going to Fukuchi Momoko and acclaimed director Kawase Naomi for their portrayal of a conflicted daughter and mother in Nakagawa Ryutaro’s “Echoes of Motherhood.” Best actor was awarded to Wang Chuanjun for his work in “Mothertongue.”
Teona Strugar Mitevska’s “Mother” received the award for best artistic contribution. The award and the acting awards, carry a prize of JPY300,000 ($1,955) each.
The audience award went to Sakashita Yuichiro’s “Blonde,” a film about a middle school teacher who finds himself caught up in a scandal.
In the Asian Future section, Roh Young-wan’s “Halo” won the best film award with a JPY1 million ($6,515) prize. The Asian Students’ Film competition saw Lee Ji-yun’s “Floating” take the best film award (JPY300,000/$1,955), while jury prizes went to both Chen Li-hsuan’s “Forever and a Day” and Jung Hye-in’s “Reviving the Engine,” each receiving JPY100,000 ($65).
The prestigious Kurosawa Akira Award was presented to two recipients: Lee Sang-il and Chloé Zhao, with each receiving JPY1 million ($6,515).
Japanese cinema legends Yamada Yoji and Yoshinaga Sayuri were honored with lifetime achievement awards.
The TIFF Ethical Film Award went to Luciano Vidigal’s “White House,” which received JPY200,000 ($1,300).
The ceremony featured both presenters and awardees favoring dark colors and delivering mostly low-key, apolitical speeches. One exception was best actress co-recipient Kawase Naomi, who appeared bare-shouldered in a dramatic red-and-black gown, a choice perhaps influenced by her many appearances as a director at Cannes, where glamor is a given.
Complete list of winners:
Tokyo Grand Prix / The Governor of Tokyo Award
“Palestine 36”
Special Jury Prize
“We Are the Fruits of the Forest”
Award for Best Director
Alessio Rigo de Righi, Matteo Zoppis – “Heads or Tails?”
Zhang Lu – “Mothertongue”
Award for Best Actress
Fukuchi Momoko, Kawase Naomi – “Echoes of Motherhood”
Award for Best Actor
Wang Chuanjun – “Mothertongue”
Award for Best Artistic Contribution
“Mother”
Audience Award
“Blonde”
Asian Future Best Film Award
“Halo”
Asian Students’ Film Best Film Award
“Floating”
Asian Students’ Film Jury Prize
“Forever and a Day”
“Reviving the Engine”
Kurosawa Akira Award
Lee Sang-il and
Chloé Zhao
38th TIFF Lifetime Achievement Award
Yamada Yoji
Yoshinaga Sayuri
TIFF Ethical Film Award
“White House”
AloJapan.com