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| Message of hope in Makala, Cannes Critics’ Week prizewinner Photo: Semaine de la Critique |
With only three days to go before the Cannes Film Festival announces its main prizes on Sunday, the sidebar Critics’ Week tonight announced its awards (25 May).
The top prize has gone to Makala, directed by Emmanuel Gras, which scored the Nespresso Grand Prize, including a 15,000 euros prize.
Set in Congo, the film follows a young peasant who dreams of a better future for his loved ones. He embarks on a dangerous and exhausting journey in order to trade the fruit of his work. En route he discovers the value of his efforts and the price he has to pay for his dreams.
A total of seven films competed in the Critics' Week section, which concentrates on discovering new talent.
Gabriel And The Mountain / Gabriel E A Montanha, directed by Fellipe Gamarano Barbosa, earned the France 4 Visionary Award, which is given to a first or second feature film for its outstanding creativity and innovation.
The Leica Cine Discovery Prize for short films was bestowed on Los Desheredados, directed by Laura Ferres.
Several awards were given out by partner organisations such as the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution (a prize to help distribute a first or second feature film in France). It was awarded to Version Originale Condor, the French distributor for Gabriel And The Mountain / Gabriel E A Montanha, directed by Fellipe Gamarano Barbosa.
The SACD Award that supports new writers went to Léa Mysius, who wrote Ava. The Best Fireworks Ever (Najpiękniejsze Fajerwerki Ever) by Aleksandra Terpińska took the Canal+ Award for short films.
