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WACC and Cinema
Films have universal appeal. They are a form of democratic communication in which – in the words of André Bazin – the film-maker is a story-teller, 'the equal of the novelist'. Films tell stories of struggles, endeavours, achievements and failures. They explore relationships and identities – and reveal what it is to be human. |  | WACC partners with the Protestant film organisation INTERFILM and its Roman Catholic counterpart SIGNIS to provide Ecumenical Film Juries at international festivals. WACC and SIGNIS also make an annual award to a film or documentary dealing with human rights. |
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Berlin 2012 |
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The Ecumenical Jury at this year's Berlinale awarded its prize in the International Competition to Cesare deve morire (Caesar Must Die) directed by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani (Italy, 2011). "In the world of prison life the power of freedom through art superbly is manifested by inmates of maximum security re-enacting Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Their gripping discoveries of character similarities arouse compassion for the human condition." |
| The Jury awarded a Commendation to Rebelle (War Witch) directed by Kim Nguyen (Canada, 2012). "The horror of a young girl’s life when taken from her village by rebels to be trained as a child soldier is depicted by scenes of Congo warfare softened by the sweet innocence of a youthful love. Komona, the girl and war witch, escapes this existence to provide a message of redeeming hope." |
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In the Panorama section, the Jury gave its prize to Die Wand (The Wall) directed by Julian Roman Pölsler (Austria/Germany, 2011). "The film tells the story of a woman mysteriously trapped inside transparent walls near an alpine cabin which shut her off from human companionship and require physical labour to survive. The film’s original and atmospheric cinematography accompanies an intense solo performance by Martina Gedeck. Through her care for animals and a solitary immersion in nature she moves beyond chaotic self-preoccupation towards a liberating though sober understanding of love as a unifying and humanizing power." |
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Montreal 2011 |
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| The Ecumenical Jury at the 2011 World Film Festival Montreal awarded its Prize to David (still, right), directed by Joel Fendelman (USA). The citation read, "David, a Muslim child living in Brooklyn, New York, finds himself in a Jewish School. Through the story, we are transported with finesse and sensitivity to the heart of a social problem: the coexistence between religious and cultural communities." |
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Hasta la Vista, directed by Geoffrey Enthoven (Belgium), described by the Montreal Gazette as "not your average coming-of-age comedy", received a Commendation. The film also won the Grand Prix des Amériques and the Public Award for most popular film. The Jury notes, "Three young friends, each with a different disability, organize a dream trip. Through daily difficulties and sometimes comical happenings, the director offers a new perspective on the challenges and limitations of their situations and of the open-mindedness of their families and immediate circle." |
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Locarno 2011 |
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At the 64th Locarno Film Festival (3-13 August), the Ecumenical Jury of SIGNIS and INTERFILM awarded its Prize to the film Vol spécial, directed by Fernand Melgar (Switzerland, 2011). "In his touching and authentic documentary Fernand Melgar leads the audience into the Frambois detention center where ordinary people never go and where hopes and fears of different men culminate. Guards as well as detainees act humanly under inhuman conditions, so the spectator is enabled to see them all as individuals with a family, religion and their own dignity, lacking only justice." |
| The Jury awarded a Commendation to the film Onder ons, directed by Marco van Geffen (Netherlands, 2011). "Done with considerable craftsmanship this film shows us that the subtle xenophobia of western people, often covered only by a thin layer of cultural conventions, distracts from the fact, that violence and lack of communication are generic issues of the clean and 'well organized' suburbs." |
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The Jury awarded a second Commendation to the film Abrir puertas y ventanas, directed by Milagros Mumenthaler (Argentina / Switzerland, 2011). "Three different orphan sisters left alone in a beautiful house full of past memories have to cope with becoming an adult. Evoking a dense atmosphere, Mumenthaler shows that there are various, sometimes painful, ways to becoming an individual and that although memory guides us to accept the present, one still has doors and windows to open." |
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Cannes 2011 |
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| At the 64th edition of the Festival de Cannes (11-22 May 2011) the Ecumenical Jury chose as winner of its Prize the film This must be the place, directed by Paolo Sorrentino (Italy, France, Ireland 2011). "Through the story of Cheyenne, a fallen and aching rock star, Paolo Sorrentino proposes to follow the inner voyage and odyssey of a man searching for his Jewish roots, maturity, reconciliation and hope. A classic drama of great richness and elaborate aesthetics, the film gracefully opens deep and serious paths of reflection." |
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In addition, the Jury awarded two Commendations. The first to Le Havre, directed by Aki Kaurismäki (Finland/France/Germany 2011). "An ode to hope, solidarity and brotherhood : using sophisticated filmmaking, Aki Kaurismaki invites us in a world which he transforms through the magic of the colours, the humour of the dialogues, the humanity of the characters – with 'The Sermon on the Mount' in the background." |
| The second to Et maintenant on va où?, directed by Nadine Labaki (France/Lebanon 2011). "The women of a small isolated village are ready to do anything to preserve peace between the two communities that are living there together. With much delicacy, Nadine LABAKI succeeds in offering a poetic tale balancing carefully between comedy and tragedy, provoking an emotion that is turned towards hope." |
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Berlin 2011 |
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The Ecumenical Jury’s Prize in Competition was awarded to Jodaeiye Nader Az Simin (Nader and Simin, A Separation) directed by Asghar Farhadi (Iran, 2011).This film powerfully dramatises conflicts associated with family life and living in Iran, addressing its subject-matter with equality, respect, and sincerity. Nader and Simin: A Separation also won the Festival’s top prize, the Golden Bear. |
| The Ecumenical Jury’s Prize in Panorama was awarded to Lo Roim Alaich (Invisible) directed by Michael Aviad (Israel/Germany, 2011). This film deals with women’s rape – a major and frequent social problem of physical and mental trauma. It depicts with empathy, and brilliant psychological relevance, the complex feelings and behaviour of two victims who meet by chance. |
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The Ecumenical Jury’s Prize in Forum was awarded to En Terrains Connus (Familiar Ground) directed by Stephane Lafleur (Canada, 2011).This film is structurally original in showing how “accidents” can alter human relationships. It is innovative in drawing warm and human comic moments out of an alienated world where relationships are fragile. Its dialogue is sparse and well-controlled, and the soundtrack integrates very effectively with the film’s visual imagery. |
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Staff ContactPhilip Lee Related Items
WACC-SIGNIS Human Rights Award 2010
SIGNIS-WACC Human Rights Award 2009
'Colima' - Documentary from El Salvador 2009
WACC-SIGNIS Human Rights Award 2008
SIGNIS-WACC Human Rights Award 2007
Celebrating Cinema Media Development 1/2005
Can Movies Be a Moral Compass?
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