19 Feb 2025 On the Screen (MD2025/1)

Leipzig (Germany) 2024

At the DOK Leipzig – 67th International Film Festival for Documentary and Animated Film (29 October to 3 November 2024), the Interreligious Jury, appointed by INTERFILM and SIGNIS, awarded its Prize of € 2.000, donated by the VCH-Hotel Michaelis in Leipzig as well as the Interreligious Round Table and the Oratorium Leipzig, to Twice into Oblivion (L’oubli tue deux fois) directed by Pierre Michel Jean (France, Haiti, Dominican Republic, 2023).

Motivation: The film impressively shows how challenging it is to communicate about sufferering and does not leave you cold. The documentary provides the tools for constructive and emotional communication that opens the path of forgiveness. At a time when hatred and aggression are loud, the film shows that it can also work differently.

Synopsis: Many people are unaware of the “Parsley Massacre” against the Haitian people of the Dominican Republic in 1937. Only a few, very elderly survivors in Haiti talked about it and their voices were finally heard now with this documentary. These old people are jewels for this film and were the impetus for young actors, dancers and artists from both countries to deal with this tragedy. The film director chose this artistic project for this process of reappraisal.

Members of the 2024 Jury: Blandine Brunel, France; Andreas Köhler-Andereggen, Switzerland (president); Kadija Leclere, Belgium; Gabriella Meros, Germany.

Cottbus (Germany) 2024

At the 34th Festival of East European Cinema, Cottbus, 5-10 November 2024, the Ecumenical Jury, appointed by INTERFILM and SIGNIS, awarded its Prize to Dobra djeca (Good Children) directed by Filip Peruzović (Croatia, 2024).

Motivation of the Jury: We were impressed by the unagitated und quiet presenting of different approaches to grieve together with the sounds of the house and nature, which repeatedly dissolved into silence. That created a unique atmosphere. We were also struck by the complex sibling relationship on the one hand, which at the same time was reflected in the simplicity of the visual and cinematic language.

Synopsis: Sadness felt by the heart, and a feeling of alienation in the soul: their mother has passed away. Now the parental home has to be cleared. For the daughter and son, themselves now grown old, a journey into the past, amidst the removal boxes and the thousands of leftover objects, begins. Only slowly do they grow closer again.

Members of the 2024 Jury: Inês Mendes Gil, Portugal; Christian Olding, Germany; Gabriella Rácsok, Hungary; Kathrin Rudolph, Germany.

Lübeck (Germany) 2024

At the 66th Nordic Film Days Lübeck held 6-10 November 2024, the INTERFILM Jury awarded the Church Film Prize, endowed with €5,000 by the Evangelical Church District Lübeck-Lauenburg, to the film Ljósbrot (When the Light Breaks) directed by Rúnar Rúnarsson (Iceland, Netherlands, Croatia, France, 2024).

Motivation: The INTERFILM jury awarded its prize to a movie that portrays different stages of grief condensed in a single day, while stressing how important it is to share it within a community, to look out for each other and to find your neighbour where you least expect it. The film not only tells a relevant story in a visually impressive way, but also shows how a church can make you fly.

Members of the 2024 Jury: Julia Helmke, Germany; Johannes Rydinger, Sweden; Lilly Schaack, Germany; Eva Valvo, Italy.

Mannheim-Heidelberg (Germany) 2024

At the 73rd International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg 7-17 November 2024, the Ecumenical Jury, appointed by INTERFILM and SIGNIS, awarded its Prize, endowed with € 2500 by the Catholic German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), to the film Bound in Heaven (Kun bang shang tian tang) directed by Xin Huo (China, 2024).

Motivation: They meet in the streets of a big city: the investment banker and the street vendor. At first glance, they could not be more different, yet a deep bond develops between them. Together they rediscover the joy of life. The young couple declare every day a holiday, precisely because they are aware of their own fragility and finiteness. With images of impressive beauty, the film speaks of love, respect, dignity, wishes, tenderness and care. A film that defies death, violence, illness, loneliness and social conventions, yet never drifts into the banal.

Members of the 2024 Jury: Tom Alesch, Luxembourg; Jörg Breu, Germany; Gaëlle Courtens, Switzerland/Italy (President of the Jury).