Berlinale 2004 Reviews
Reviews have been arranged according to the sections of the Festival in which the films appeared, click on the links above to find the titles you want. These pages will be updated as new material is submitted.
The opinions expressed here are those of the reviewers and not the Humboldt University of Berlin Department of Theatre Science, or Content-TV.
Last Update: Wednesday, 25-Feb-2004 08:39:43 EST
Berlinale Awards
[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] - PRIZES OF THE INTERNATIONAL JURY
The members of the International Jury
Frances McDormand (Jury President, USA), Maji-da Abdi (Ethiopia), Valeria Bruni Tedeschi (Italy), Samira Makhmalbaf (Iran), Peter Rommel (Germany), Gabriele Salvatores (Italy) and Dan Talbot (USA)
award the following prizes for feature films screening in the Competition:
The Golden Bear to
'GEGEN DIE WAND' (Head On) by Fatih Akin
The Jury Grand Prix - Silver Bear to
'EL ABRAZO PARTIDO' (Lost Embrace) by Daniel Burman
The Silver Bear for Best Director to
Kim Ki-Duk
for his film 'SAMARIA' (Samaritan Girl)
The Silver Bear ex aequo for Best Actress to
Catalina Sandino Moreno
for her role in the film 'MARIA, LLENA ERES DE GRACIA' (Maria Full of Grace) by Joshua Marston
The Silver Bear ex aequo for Best Actress to
Charlize Theron
for her role in the film 'MONSTER' by Patty Jenkins
The Silver Bear for Best Actor to
Daniel Hendler
for his role in the film 'EL ABRAZO PARTIDO' (Lost Embrace) by Daniel Burman
The Silver Bear for an outstanding artistic contribution to
The Acting Ensemble of the film
'OM JAG VÄNDER MIG OM'(Daybreak) by Björn Runge
The Silver Bear for Best Film Music to
Banda Osiris
for the music in the film 'PRIMO AMORE' (First Love) by Matteo Garrone
AGICOA’S Blue Angel Award
AGICOA’s Blue Angel Award for the best European film – endowed with 25,000 euros for its director – goes to
'OM JAG VÄNDER MIG OM' (Daybreak) by Björn Runge
Alfred Bauer Prize
The Alfred Bauer Prize – awarded in memory of the Berlinale’s founder – for the best first feature film goes to
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- INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
The International Short Film Jury awards prizes for short films screened in the Competition and Panorama sections.
The members of the jury
Christine Dollhofer (Austria), Sophie Maintigneux (France) and Vinca Wiedemann (Danmark)
award the following prizes:
Golden Bear for Best Short Film to
UN CARTUS DE KENT SI UN PACHET DE CAFEA (Cigarettes and Coffee) by Cristi Puiu
Jury Prize, Silver Bear, to the short film
VET ! (Great!)
by Karin Junger and Brigit Hillenius
And a Special Mention to
PUBLIC/PRIVATE
by Christoph Behl
Prix UIP Berlin
An initiative of the UIP and European Film Academy in cooperation with the Berlin International Film Festival.
The prize includes 2,000 euros and automatic nomination to the 2004 European Film Awards. The winner is selected from the short films participating in the Competition and
Panorama sections.
The International Short Film Jury awards the Prix UIP to
UN CARTUS DE KENT SI UN PACHET DE CAFEA (Cigarettes and Coffee)
by Cristi Puiu
Low budget but high impact, simple but effective storytelling with fantastic dialogues – this film is a remarkable statement about a society undergoing profound change.
The Jury awards the following prizes to short films shown in the Panorama:
Panorama Short Film Award
The Award for the Best Short Film shown in the Panorama goes to
TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT by Taika Waititi
This beautifully photographed black-and-white film reflects human codes and behaviour in a charming and poetic way.
New York Film Academy Scholarship
The New York Film Academy Scholarship goes to
FUGUE (Fudge) by James Brown
With a sensitive and experimental use of rhythm and framing, the film reveals some of the passions and dilemmas of human existence.
Special Mention
And a Special Mention goes to
LE GARDE DU CORPS (The Bodyguard) by Sandrine Dumas
In an unobtrusive and humorous manner this charming film tells about the complex discoveries, dangers and memories of a young sister and brother.
independent juries
[an error occurred while processing this directive] - PRIZES OF THE ECUMENICAL JURY Since 1992 the international film organizations of the Protestant and Catholic churches – INTERFILM and SIGNIS – have been represented by the Ecumenical Jury. The jury has six members and awards its main prize to a film from the Competition. Two other prizes endowed with 2,500 euros each are awarded to a film from the Panorama and the Forum. The jury awards its prizes to directors who display genuine artistic talent and succeed in expressing actions or human experiences consistent with the gospel, or sensitize viewers to spiritual, human or social values.
The members of the jury are:
Werner Schneider-Quindeau (Jury President, Germany), Frank Forst (USA), Oldrich Selucky (Czech Republic), Lothar Strüber (Germany), Julienne N. Munyaneza (Rwanda) and Marjorie Suchocki (USA)
The main prize for a film from the Competition goes to
AE FOND KISS
by Ken Loach
This love story between a young man of Pakistani descent and an Irish teacher gives an impressive example of the cultural, religious und social barriers which have to be overcome for people from different cultural backgrounds to have a common future. A plea for tolerance und intercultural understanding.
A Special Mention goes to
SVJEDOCI (Witnesses)
by Vinko Brešan
This film makes excellent use of artistic means to express the moral complexity of a war situation. It shows that even at such times it is possible to act like a human being. The path to peace lies in taking risks to protect life and respecting even our enemies as fellow beings.
The prize for a film from the Panorama goes to
MI PIACE LAVORARE (I Like to Work (Mobbing))
by Francesca Comencini
T he film depicts a woman suffering economic injustice and abuse of corporate power in her work place. The director's compellingly appropriate imagery underscores the right to justice and human dignity.
The prize for a film from the Forum goes to
FOLLE EMBELLIE (A Wonderful Spell )
by Dominique Cabrera
The film is simultaneously an intriguing story and a compelling metaphor. It contrasts the insanity of war with the insanity of mentally troubled persons and raises possibilities for healing through community and human relations.
FIPRESCI PRIZES
The Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique (the International Film Critics Association) awards its prizes to one film from each section of the Official Program (Competition and Panorama) as well as one from the Forum.
The nine members of this year's FIPRESCI Jury are:
Dana Linssen (Jury President, Netherlands), Milan Vlajcic (Serbia-Montenegro), Mohammed Rouda (UK), Sheila Johnston (UK), Esin Kücüktepepinar (Turkey), Anita Uzulniece (Latvia), Mark Peranson (Canada), Angelika Kettelhack (Germany) and Nabeeha Lotfy (Egypt)
The prize for a film from the Competition goes to
GEGEN DIE WAND (Head On)
by Fatih Akin
The prize for a film from the Panorama goes to
LA FACE CACHÉE DE LA LUNE (Far Side of the Moon)
by Robert Lapage
The prize for a film from the Forum goes to
THE TIME WE KILLED
by Jennifer Reeves
LVT - MANFRED SALZGEBER PRIZE
The LVT – Manfred Salzgeber Prize is awarded in memory of Manfred Salzgeber. It is donated each year by Denis Auboyer, the owner of LVT.
The prize is awarded to an innovative European feature film screened in the Competition or the Panorama which has a distributor in no more than one European country. The winner receives subtitling in up to three languages from Laser Vidé Titrage (LVT).
The members of the jury are:
Eduardo Antín (Argentina), Tania Blanich (USA) and Eva Zaoralová (Czech Republic)
This year's prize goes to
WILD SIDE
by Sébastien Lifshitz
The film proves an often neglected principle: that the mastery of cinematic language allows the full expression of truth, humanity and love.
PANORAMA AUDIENCE AWARDS
The Panorama Audience Award for a full-length film is being presented this year for the sixth time. The prize is a bronze figure by Berlin sculptor Hubertus Brand and is sponsored by Berlin's Tip magazine and Radio Eins.
The Panorama audience cast its ballots for the following full-length film
DIE SPIELWÜTIGEN
Addicted to Acting by Andrea Veiel
With the support of Berlin's Tip magazine and Radio Eins, the Panorama Audience Award for a short film is being presented for the first time.
The Panorama audience cast its ballots for the following short film
EN DEL AV MITT HJÄRTA (Passing Hearts)
by Johan Brisinger
CRYSTAL BEARS
Eleven boys and girls from Berlin who are between the ages of 11 and 14 award Crystal Bears to the best full-length feature film and the best short film screened in the Kinderfilmfest.
The members of the Children's Jury of the 27th Kinderfilmfest are:
Stella Noel Woeste, Maximiliane Rüger, Eleni Passadakis, Leonie Lampe, Rebecca Martin, Miriam Scholz, Daniel Rosenthal, Lorenz Wünsch, Anton Terhechte, Marlon Beatt and Oliver Hoch
The Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film goes to
MAGNIFICO
by Maryo J. de los Reyes
This winning film moved us a lot because a whole range of feelings were shown so well. We were able to relate easily to the fascinating figures and their stories affected us emotionally. This wonderful film was made even more intense by the great music and beautiful landscapes.
A Special Mention goes to
DIE BLINGÄNGER (The Blindgänger)
by Bernd Sahling
The topic of this film took us to a world unknown to us. With humour and sincerity the actors helped us understand the everyday life of these people who do not allow themselves to be blinded by outward appearances.
A Special Mention also goes to
LA PROPHETIE DES GRENOUILLES (Raining Cats and Frogs)
by Jacques-Rémy Girerd
This Special Mention is for a film we found convincing because of its humour. The story is told in an amusing and interesting way. It shows that we are strong only if we stick together. We thought the drawings were cute and funny.
14 The Crystal Bear for Best Short Film goes to
NUIT D'ORAGE (Stormy Night)
by Michèle Lemieux
This Crystal Bear is for a thoughtful film with an appealing theme which we could identify with well. The ideas and questions raised by the film make it special. They are presented with humour in beautiful fantasy settings and with interesting animations. Above all we were impressed by the surprising transitions between the images.
A Special Mention goes to
CIRCUIT MARINE
by Isabelle Favez
The first Special Mention goes to a cartoon with wonderful drawings and very funny characters. Despite some harsh scenes, we thought the sounds were extremely hilarious and made the film utterly entertaining.
A Special Mention also goes to
MAREE (Tides)
by James Pellerito
This sad but lovely, and very moving film deals with a subject which concerns everyone. Besides having convincing actors, the music fit really nice and supported the story.
14plus - FILMS FOR THE YOUNG GENERATION
The Youth Jury of the 14plus competition of the 27th Kinderfilmfest awards the Crystal Bear for the Best Feature Film.
The members of the jury are:
Alexandra Askoldova, Johanna Bose, Lea Hanemann, Claudius Hausl and Georg Wiebelitz
The Crystal Bear for the Best Feature Film goes to
THE WOODEN CAMERA
by Ntshavheni Wa Luruli
This film impressed us above all due to its compelling camerawork which was done from an extraordinary perspective and enabled us to put ourselves in the position of the main characters. It convincingly depicts the development of two young guys whose lives are fundamentally changed by a chance occurrence which causes them to go different ways.
A Special Mention goes to
Q
UALITY OF LIFE
by Benjamin Morgan
We selected this film for a Special Mention because we found the way it boldly and realistically showed the development of friendship between the main characters particularly persuasive. We were also very impressed by the film's socially critical features as well as the extraordinary look it gave us into the drug and graffiti scene in the USA.
PRIZES OF THE DEUTSCHES KINDERHILFSWERK
The Grand Prix of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk is awarded to the best feature film by the International Jury of the 27th Kinderfilmfest and is endowed with 7,500 euros. The Special Prize of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk is awarded to the best short film screened in the Kinderfilmfest and is endowed with 2,500 euros.
The members of the jury are:
Pia Bovin (Denmark), Fabia Bettini (Italy), Hermine Huntgeburth (Germany), Nicole Salomon (France) and Klaus Härö (Finland)
The Grand Prix of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk for Best Feature Film goes to
MAGNIFICO
by Maryo J. de los Reyes
Sometimes angels don't live in heaven. The angel in this film walks among us and does not have wings. Instead he is burdened with a difficult life and has a thousand questions that he tries to answer in a very down to earth way. The film is wonderful.
A Special Mention goes to
DIE BLINGÄNGER (The Blindgänger)
by Bernd Sahling
Right from the very first shot we are taken to a place where conditions are different. But the basics are still the same: the need to have someone to love. This is shown with emotional honesty and with acting that is true to the bone.
A Special Mention also goes to
BARBER YOSHINO (Yoshino's Barber Shop)
by Naoko Ogigami
The simple story of a few kids who upset a long-standing tradition in a small village. Without weapons or nasty screaming – but with imagination and humour.
The Special Prize of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk for Best Short Film goes to
LUCIA
Felix Gönnert
A story about a girl who overcomes her disease with fantasy. The character is so human and created with so much love that she reaches everyone's hearts.
A Special Mention goes to
LILLE FAR (Little Daddy)
by Michael W. Horsten
This is a story about daily life that any of us might experience. It is easy to understand for children but it is also an appeal to adults. This film is being honoured for its potential to capture children's emotions and to describe a simple and fresh story from a child's point of view.
A Special Mention also goes to
CRACKER BAG
by Glendyn Ivin
A girl living in dull surrounding struggles to create some beauty. But in the end everything gets blown to pieces. A film of rare beauty.
PRIZE OF THE GUILD OF GERMAN ART HOUSE CINEMAS
The jury of the Guild of German Art House Cinemas has three members who run cinemas and belong to the Guild. The jury awards its prize to a film screened in the Competition.
The members of the jury are:
Adrian Kutter, Thomas Engel and Karl-Heinz Somnitz
This year's prize goes to
AE FOND KISS
by Ken Loach
Consistent in its dramatic structure and with superb actors, Ken Loach vividly depicts how a Pakistani immigrant family in Glasgow disintegrates due to irreconcilable differences caused by the traditionalism of the older generation in religious and family matters and the crucial quest of the children for freedom and self-realization.
C.I.C.A.E. PRIZES
The Confédération Internationale des Cinémas d'Art et Essai (the International Confederation of Art Cinemas) has two juries: one for the Panorama and one for the Forum. Each jury has three members and awards a prize in its section.
The members of the jury for a film screened in the Panorama are:
Pedro Bandeira Freire (Portugal), Marianne Piquet (France) and Christian Kaiser (Germany)
The members of the jury for a film screened in the Forum are:
Domenico Dinoia (Italy), Pinia Frey (Switzerland) and Holger Ziegler (Germany)
The prize for a film from the Panorama goes to
O OUTRO LADO DA RUA
The Other Side of the Street
by Marcos Bernstein
The prize for a film from the Forum goes to
B-HAPPY
by Gonzalo Justiniano
This topical film tells a universal story. The directing, actors' performances and camerawork are extremely persuasive and without moralizing they succeed in conveying that there is still hope for life and all living creatures.
PEACE FILM AWARD
The nine-member Peace Film Award jury views films from all sections of the Berlin International Film Festival. The award is endowed with 5,000 euros donated by the Action Group Peace Film Award in conjunction with the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW).
The members of the jury are:
Marianne Wündrich-Brosien, Christoph Heubner, Olga Zoller, Monica Puginier, Chris Kraus, Nicole Kellerhals and Hans Weingartner (all Germany)
This year's award goes to
SVJEDOCI
Witnesses
by Vinko Brešan
A “post-war film” from Croatia which does not differentiate between human dignity and guilt, and reveals how tenuous the line between war and peace still is in Europe.
Unabatedly director Vinko Brešan recounts his tale and that of his protagonists. With each new character a new story surfaces and brings depth and mystery in its wake. The very existence of this film and how it was made ends the speechlessness left by war and makes dialogue, controversy and hope possible.
TEDDY 2004
The nine members of this international jury – organizers of queer and other film festivals or gay/lesbian filmmakers – view all the films in the Berlinale which have a queer context. The jury awards a TEDDY for Best Feature Film, one for Best Short Film and one for Best Documentary/Essay, each of which is endowed with 3,000 euros.
The members of the jury are:
Ido Abram (Jury President, Netherlands), Suzy Capo (Brazil), Zvonimir Dobrovic, (Croatia), Matthew Fox (Great Britain), Lan Hirche (Germany), Dario Lopez (Spain), Kirsten Schaffer (USA), Philippe Reilhac (France) and Natasha Mendonca (India)
The TEDDY for Best Feature Film goes to
WILD SIDE
by Sébastien Lifshitz
For the uncompromising beauty and honesty of its story and for the tender portrayal of its characters.
The TEDDY for Best Documentary goes to
THE NOMI SONG
by Andrew Horn For its remarkable depiction of a queer pop icon's life and his substantial influence on the zeitgeist.
The TEDDY for Best Short Film goes to
¿CON QUÉ LA LAVARÉ?
With what shall I wash it?
by Maria Trénor
For how it combines music and natural sounds with striking images inspired by the work of contemporary gay artists.
The Special TEDDY 2004 which is awarded by the TEDDY Foundation goes to
EDITION SALZGEBER
The TEDDY Foundation wishes to honour the outstanding work of this film distribution company and its founder.
WOLFGANG STAUDTE AWARD 2004
A three-member jury awards this prize – endowed with 10,000 euros donated by the Gesellschaft zur Wahrnehmung von Film- und Fernsehrechten (GWFF, a society for safeguarding film and television rights) – to a film screened in the Forum.
The members of the jury are:
Catherine Breillat (France), Thomas Arslan (Germany) and Imruh Bakari (Tanzania)
This year's award goes to
FINAL SOLUTION
by Rakesh Sharma
An epic documentary focusing on a culture of hatred and indifference in the region of Gujarat, India. The simplicity, clarity and accuracy of the film enable viewers to reflect on the universality of the subject matter and to relate their own human attitudes to it. The filmmaker has chosen a documentary form that completely shuns the use of melodramatic effects and thus makes a stand against the omnipresent "infotainment" industry.
PLANET DOCUMENTARY FILM AWARD
The Planet Documentary Film Award offers funding to young filmmakers for the realization of their own documentary projects. The winning film will be broadcast by PLANET TV. As a partner of the Berlinale Talent Campus, PLANET TV strives to focus on supporting rising talents in the field of documentary filmmaking.
The members of the jury are:
Barbara Rudnik (Jury President, Germany), Andrzej Titkow (Poland), Christian Frei, Andres Veiel and Matthias Pfeffer (all Germany)
The award goes to
GOAT WALKER
by Bartek Konopka and Piotr Rosolowski
DIALOGUE EN PERSPECTIVE AWARD
The French channel TV5 and the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ/DFJW) have initiated the DIALOGUE en Perspective Award for a film screened in the Perspektive Deutsches Kino section. The jury has four young French and three young German members, as well as a jury president.
The members of the jury are:
Albert Wiederspiel (Jury President, Germany), Julie Kreuzer, Hervé Carriou, Patrick Innocenti, Yann Dieuaide (all France); Almut Steinlein, Olenka Deisler and Frédéric Jaeger (all Germany)
The prize goes to
FLAMMEND' HERZ
Blue Skin
by Andreas Schuler and Oliver Ruts
For its poetic, humorous and respectful treatment of a very original topic. It will also give French audiences an unusual glimpse of Germany and the Germans.
A Special Prize goes to
DER TYP
The Guy
by Patrick Tauss
F
or presenting a big movie in just 50 minutes.
CALIGARI FILM PRIZE 2004
The three-member jury awards its prize to a film screened in the Forum. The prize is endowed with 4,000 euros donated by the Bundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit (German Federal Association of Communal Film Work) and film-dienst magazine.
The members of the jury are:
Cornelia Fleer, Dietmar Schade and Michael Jurich
The year's prize goes to
DOPO MEZZANOTTE
After Midnight
by Davide Ferrario
Set in a magical place in the city of Turin, DOPO MEZZANOTTE tells the story of a dreamy night-watchman at the local film museum, who – like his idol Buster Keaton – prefers watching the object of his love from a safe distance.
A love story, film citations and a pensive commentary about the differences between reality and cinematic representation poetically interweave to create a unique homage to the movies.
VOLKSWAGEN SCORE COMPETITION
The Volkswagen Score Competition for sound designers and composers was held this year for the first time. Its prize goes to the most outstanding contributor to the section The Sound and Music at the Berlinale Talent Campus. The winner will be able to participate in the School of Sound, a four-day symposium in London; traveling costs and accommodation are included. A jury - this year chaired by David Holmes and Walter Murch - selects the winner.
The prize goes to
TOM THIRD
BERLIN TODAY AWARD
For the first time, the Berlin Today Award is being presented at the Berlinale Talent Campus. The award goes to one of three short films about Berlin nominated at the Berlinale Talent Campus 2003 and produced in a year-long project funded by the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg in conjunction with boxfish films.
The patrons of this year's award are Volker Schlöndorff, Andreas Dresen and Esther Grothenborn.
The award goes to:
BERLINBEIRUT
by Myrna Maakaron
NETPAC PRIZE
The Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) is an alliance of festival organizers and film critics whose aim is to support Asian film. The three-member jury views and awards a prize to an Asian film screened in the Forum.
The members of the jury are:
Garin Nugroho (Indonesia), Dorothea Holloway (Germany) and Fang Yu (China)
This year's prize goes to
YUN DE NAN FANG
South of the Clouds
by Zhu Wen
For its sensitive portrayal of a retiree on a journey across the entire breadth of China to fulfill a lifetime dream just beyond his grasp.
A Special Mention goes to
FINAL SOLUTION
by Rakesh Sharma
For its clarification of issues that spawned hate and violence between Hindus and Moslems in Gujarat, its analysis of propaganda mechanisms for political purposes, and its measured voice to seek a final solution to the conflict.
DON QUIXOTE PRIZE of THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILM SOCIETIES
Founded in 1947, the International Federation of Film Societies (IFFS/FICC) is an international umbrella organization. The films winning a Don Quixote Prize or a Special Mention in this category are included in the IFFS/FICC's Film Distribution Network catalogue which promotes their international distribution.
The members of the jury are:
Thomas Jäger (Germany), Dominic Schmid (Switzerland) and André Viane (Portugal)
This year's prize goes to
DOPO MEZZANOTTE
After Midnight
by Davide Ferrario
Here one thing just fit perfectly into the other, the story into the laconic off-screen commentary, the locations picked with loving care, and so with the performers it all makes a very nice piece of work. A film where everything's just right – including the last cigarette for the angel.
A Special Mention goes to
B-HAPPY
by Gonzalo Justiniano
A Special Mention also goes to
CAMPFIRE
By Joseph Cedar
BERLINER MORGENPOST READERS' PRIZE
The 25 members of the Berliner Morgenpost Readers' Jury award their prize to a feature film screened in the Competition.
This year's prize goes to
25 DEGRÉS EN HIVER
25 Degrees in Winter
by Stéphane Vuillet
SIEGESSÄULE READERS' PRIZE
The seven members of the Siegessäule Readers' Jury (Berlin's queer magazine) view films from all sections of the festival and award a prize endowed with 1,000 euros to the best film dealing with queer topics.
The members of the jury are:
Zora Hesová, Dörte Heßler, Alexander Katt, Michael Koch, Monique van Miert, Adam Miszta and Armin Stein (all Germany)
This year's prize goes to
D.E.B.S.
by Angela Robinson
Out of the sea of naked male flesh, this movie rose to the occasion with fun and girl power. The only thing left to say is: “This lezzie stuff is kinda hot!”.