(SIGNIS/INTERFILM). In the international competition, fifteen films were competing for the Warsaw International Film Festival awards, including the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury.
The Jury awarded their main Prize to the film Virgjëresha Shqiptare (The Albanian Virgin), directed by Bujar Alimani (Germany, Belgium, Albania, Kosovo, 2021).
The film tells of the struggle for happiness in an archaic world. The heroine experiences severe trials and has to sacrifice her happiness to save the ones she loves, which clearly shows how the male-made rules of a patriarchal order determine women’s choices. Finally, the film opens up a spiritual path to overcoming centuries-old traditions.
Further, the Jury awarded a Commendation to the film Ringu wandaringu (Ring Wandering), directed by Masakazu Kaneko (Japan, 2021). A film like a window opening into the rich tradition and heritage of the Eastern world that a young man searches for. The film shows the desire of young people to help others, revealing the secret of happiness, a secret that can be felt but neither objectified nor captured. By preserving, sharing and celebrating human values, the film operates on a high artistic level.
The members of the Jury were Ewa Przyjasna (Poland), Vladyslav Robskyi (Ukraine), and Anita Uzulniece (Latvia).
The 37th Warsaw International Film Festival was held from October 8 to 17, 2021. Visit the festival website.
