in the traditional Auditorium Theaterproceeded to the ceremony of delivery of the Astor Awards to the competitive films of the thirty-seventh edition of the Mar del Plata International Film Festival. Present at the gala, to start the award ceremony, were the president of the festival Fernando Juan Lima and the artistic director paul count The official juries, made up of the local actress Dolores Fonzi, the spanish journalist Alberto Lettucethe German programmer Inge StacheAmerican filmmaker joe swanberg and the Georgian filmmaker Alexander Koberidzewere responsible for the nomination of the winners.
“For his ability to portray a dramatic story with beauty and truth, which shows us that when people care for each other, there is hope”, was the verdict to present the Astor Piazzolla Award for Best Feature Film to the Brazilian “Saudade fez purple here inside” by Haroldo Borgeswhich also received a Special Mention for the cast of the film.
On the other hand, the Special Jury Award it was for the argentinian movie “Three Brothers” by Francisco Paparella. The juries justified the reason for the award with the following statement: “For his powerful use of cinematographic tools (photography, sound design, acting and music) to portray his universe rawly and authentically.”
A curiosity in the event occurred at the time of the award for best direction. The Jury decided to award recognition to two films, sharing “ex Aequo” the award for filmmakers Ana Garcia Blayaby Rio de la Plata co-production “The Uruguayan”Y Melissa Liebenthal for the national film “The face of the jellyfish”.
“Because with the weight of her presence on the screen she raises the narrative with sensitivity”, were the words to consecrate Sonia Parada as the best performance for the Bolivian film “Los de abajo” by Alejandro Quiroga. the american “There There” of Andrew Bujalski won the award for best screenplay. To this is added the Special Mention for “change change” from the Argentine Lautaro Garcia Candela.
On the other hand, the Latin American competition was chaired by the Canadian producer Brad Deanethe French programmer lili hinstin and the Argentine Constance Novick. The Astor Award for Best Latin American Feature Film went to “Lauquen Train” by Laura Citarella. the brazilian “Mato seco em chamas” by Joana Pimenta and Adirley Queirós won the special prize of the Jury. Finally, best short film went to “Anima” by Manuel Matías Gómez and a Special Mention for the Colombian film “Anhell69” by Theo Montoya.
“For proposing an epic of the small, building a story about the way ordinary people not to give up in the crisis scenario. And for looking at small gestures of solidarity and empathy, without avoiding risky narrative decisions” were the words of the Jury, made up of the Brazilian programmer Leonardo Bomfimthe Spanish critic Gerard Casau and the Uruguayan journalist maria santa creufor the film “Above the Clouds” by María Aparicio.
The closing of the official category was with the delivery of the José Martínez Suárez Award for Best Director a Leandro Listorti by “Herbal” and the national short film “Flesh of God” by Patricio Plaza. In this way, the 37th edition of the Mar del Plata festival, with international roots, was characterized by establishing a high-quality program with a strong regional presence.
Image gallery
