The Winners of the 49th Oberhausen Festival
Kurzfilmtage
niewalda at kurzfilmtage.de
Tue May 6 21:17:40 CEST 2003
AWARDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Prizes awarded by the International Jury
Members of the International Jury:
Gulnara Abikeyeva (Kasakhstan)
Claudio Caldini (Argentina)
Connie Lam Suk Yee (People’s Republic of China)
Cecilia Lundquist (Sweden)
Grand Prize of the City of Oberhausen, amounting to Euro 7,500
PORTRET
Segej Loznitsa, Russia 2002
28 min, 35 mm, b/w
Statement:
”Portret” is a simple but powerful film which shows human dignity and
gracefulness. This film has a timeless reading. It can be seen as
portraiture of down-to-earth peasants as well as the modern photography
which we can find in fashion magazines, Thank you for preserving these
images of time for today’s urban society. In the century of new
technologies and speedy rhythms, we need to see in the faces of simple
people. In this film, not only we do look into their faces as spectators,
but they are also looking at us. This work of art changes points of view.
It is a return to the original function of the cinematic device to document
human time and nature’s eternity
Two Principal Prizes, amounting to Euro 3,500 each
NO ME IMPORTA QUE SE MUERAN LAS JIRAFAS
Gustavo Sidlin, Argentina 2002
20 min, DV/PAL, colour
Statement:
”No me importa que se mueran las jirafas” is a passionate and authentic
description of puberty love. Just like a first, it might not be perfect,
but it is always enjoyable and memorable. It is a tender way of showing
pure love just with little indications. It is also an affectionate story
about the difficulty of growing up, which is told in a joyful and energetic
atmosphere. The staging of young people’s emotions reaches a high level of
expressiveness with a minimum of resources.
DANSA MED DVAERGAR
Emelie Carlsson Gras, Sweden 2002
13.30 min, DV/PAL, colour
Statement:
The film is a witty adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s short story. The
director turns a male centred story into a female self-identity searching
journey. It is an example of complex artistic search which brings together
absurd poetry, fresh ideas and simple human feelings. ”Dansa med dvärgar”
is a rich display of imagination in a dreamlike tale made of manifold
visual techniques.
ARTE Prize for a European Short Film, amounting to Euro 2,500
VACANCES
Nicolas Dufranne, Belgien 2002
14 min, DV, colour
Statement:
Subtle and new, silent and expressive, this piece of work is an artistic
approach to a modern drama about fatality. ”Vacances” is beautiful horror
film which is narrated in an unconventional way without using special
effects and sound design to manipulate the emotions of the audience: the
interaction of static and moving images highlights the tensions of the
film. It is an aesthetic attempt to create a new cinematic language based
on the art of silence and contemporary design.
Special Mentions of the International Jury
CONVERSATION DE SALON
Danielle Arbid, France 2002
8 min, Beta SP/PAL, colour
Statement:
”Conversation de salon” shows us the world where people speak about the war
in which any of us can be involved any time, like they would speak about
ordinary events of life.
A MARGEM DA IMAGEM
Evaldo Mocarzel, Brazil 2002
15 min, Beta SP/PAL, colour
Statement:
”Ŕ margem da imagem” is an ethical documentary of unfulfilled basic needs
for food, roof and work. This film honestly accepts the limitations of the
filmmaker: A film can only bring out the social phenomenon, but it can’t
improve situations.
TELEGA
Shery Shahvorostov/Andriy Gunishev/Dmytro Tyajlov, Ukraine 2001
15.30 min, 35 mm, b/w
Statement:
With its uniquely bizarre and unexpected twists, ”Telega” is taking charge
of the viewer in a fantastic physical way.
Prize of the Jury of the North Rhine Westphalia Government Ministry of
Urban Development and Housing, Culture and Sports, amounting to Euro 2,500
Members of the Jury:
Theda Kluth (Köln), Ronald Herzog (Bielefeld), Michael Kohler (Bochum),
Susanne Reck (Berlin), Barbara Schweizerhof (Berlin)
LIFT
Marc Isaacs Great Britain 2001
24.30 min, Beta SP/PAL, colour
Statement:
The filmmaker enters the lift of a London tower block with his camera. His
presence and clever questions turn this place of non-communication into
stage on which people from very different ethnic and religious backgrounds
cautiously open themselves. With the simplest of means and subtle humour
Marc Isaacs manages to show the interplay of latent conflicts and everyday
tolerance. The film leaves the viewer with a sense of lightness.
Special Mention of the Jury of the North Rhine Westphalia Government
Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, Culture and Sports
DANSA MED DVAERGAR
Emelie Carlsson Gras, Sweden 2002
13.30 min, DV/PAL, colour
Statement:
The film is an imaginative adaptation of a short story by Haruki Murakami.
Using various techniques, the young Swedish filmmaker Emelie Carlsson Gras
invites us to share the scurrilous everyday life of a housewife who frees
herself from depression step by step.
Prize of the FIPRESCI (Jury of International Film Critics), amounting to
Euro 1,500,
donated by the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen
Members of the Jury:
Bernard Bastide (Paris), Sibylle Dahrendorf (Berlin), Sasa Radojevic (Belgrade)
LIFT
Marc Isaacs Great Britain 2001
24.30 min, Beta SP/PAL, colour
Statement:
In his documentary the filmmaker is observing day per day, how life is
going on inside a lift. He becomes the privileged witness of the small
theatre of ordinary life: unemployment, loneliness, neighbourhood , what’s
going right or wrong in their lives. Involved in this process, the
spectator himself becomes more and more familiar with the characters, each
of them an essence of humanity, abandoning them with regrets.
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, amounting to € 1,500
Members of the Jury:
Manfred Burger (Germany), Markus Buss (Germany), Waltraud Verlaguet
(France), Astrid Polz-Watzenig (Austria), Eberhard Streier (Germany)
KIS APOKRIF
Kornél Mundruczó, Hungary 2002
5 min, 35 mm, b/w
Statement:
The ecumenical jury awards its prize to ”Kis apokrif” by Kornel Mundruczo
from Hungary. The film reflects the question of identity. As if in a
kaleidoscope, single fragments of a boy’s personality are represented as
duplicated and broken. This special aesthetic conveys a dynamic process of
search for self which finally defies any clear solution.
Special Mentions of the Ecumenical Jury
A MARGEM DA IMAGEM
Evaldo Mocarzel, Brazil 2002
15 min, 35 mm, colour
Statement:
A special mention goes to ”Ŕ margem da imagem” by Evaldo Mocarzel from
Brazil. Taking a documentary of homeless people as an example, the question
about the opportunities and limits of the ethics of committed art is raised.
INTEGRATION (German Competition)
Siegfried Koepf, Germany 2002
1.30 min, DV/PAL, colour
Statement:
The festival program was very varied and demanding, especially with its
re<local>ization series. In order to pay tribute to this, we would like to
give a further special mention to a film outside of the International
Competition: Integration by Siegfried Koepf. Never has the German national
hymn been played in such a spirit.
Prize of the Cinema Jury,
in connection with a buying option on the awarded work by the Short Film
Agency Hamburg
Members of the Jury:
Hans-Jörg Blondiau (Germany), Patrick Gratian (France), Ute Mader (Germany)
EVIGHETENS CAMPINGPLASS
Rudnar Hodne, Norway 2001
9 min, 35 mm, colour
Statement:
The Norwegian short film “Evighetens Campingplass” by Runar Hodne excites
by its bizarre sense of humour which is supported by the view of the camera
which moves at the height of the table or looks through the sink like a
voyeur. It opens a double perspective which is transported by a ball game
and shows an erotic attraction between a woman and a man. Tone or music is
hardly used, only to support the scenes.
Prize of the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, amounting to € 500
I AM A BOYBAND
Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay, Canada 2002
5.30 min, DV/PAL, colour
Statement:
The award of the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen goes to a
video which distinguishes itself by its precise workmanship, its consistent
realisation of an idea and its debate with the representation of manliness.
AWARDS OF THE GERMAN COMPETITION
Members of the German Jury:
Ralf Rückauer (ZDF/Das kleine Fernsehspiel), Nicolaus Schafhausen
(Frankfurter Kunstverein), Stefanie Schulte-Strathaus (Freunde der
Deutschen Kinemathek)
Prize for the best contribution to the German Competition, amounting to
Euro 5,000 (ex aequo)
Striking in current German short film production is the heterogeneous
representation above all of the private realm. The analysis of identity
finding processes and confrontations with already existing cultural
productions such as images from film and television, language, music,
literature, theory and fine arts is present throughout.
In view of this observation the jury has decided to award the main prize of
the German competition to two works
MANUAL
Christoph Girardet/Matthias Mueller, Germany/Great Britain 2002
10 min, Beta SP/PAL, colour
Statement:
We have chosen a video production which stands in the tradition of found
footage. The debate between presence and absence of the body in the face of
machines is felt in the rhythm of the work. An awareness of ones own
physical presence in the cinema is subtly provoked.
AUTO CENTER DRIVE
Bjorn Melhus, Germany 2003
28 min, 16 mm, colour
Statement:
We likewise chose a film which places the multiple identities of the
contemporary individual at its centre. Lovingly the author quotes
personalities from pop-culture and dialogues from Hollywood cinema. His own
self is caught up in a permanent change of identity. Its unconventional
narrative allows for a cinematic dialogue with the public.
Special Mention of the German Jury
INTEGRATION
Siegfried Koepf, Germany 2002
1.30 min, DV/PAL, colour
Statement:
Beyond the cinematic debate with historically cultural phenomena, other
films deal with socio-political issues.
For this reason a special mention goes to a film which in only one minute
and 30 seconds metaphorically shows the complexity of national identity.
The 3sat-Promotional-Award, amounting to € 2,500
for a contribution with a particularly innovative approach. In addition the
award includes a buying option on the awarded works to be broadcast on 3sat
DAS LEBEN EINER SCHILDKROETE IM NAHEN OSTEN
Felice Wonnenberg, Germany 2002
8.30 min, DV/PAL, colour and b/w
Statement:
The jury awards the 3sat promotional prize to a contribution which
distinguishes itself by a new perspective.
One of the most existential threats faced by an individual is being a
victim. At the most heightened moment of violent confrontation even pain is
no longer felt. For her metaphorical expression of non-specific conflicts
the filmmaker uses biographical and medial levels of reflection. The
codified use of pictures, texts and collages of sound makes it possible for
a personal address to the recipients.
AWARDS OF THE CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH FILM COMPETITION
Prize of the Children's Film Competition for the programmes of the 5 to
12-year-olds,
amounting to Euro 1,000, sponsored by Kinderkanal, the ARD/ZDF children’s
channel
Members of the Jury:
Katharina Drescher (10), Junisa Hull (11), Nadine Jansen (10), Gerrit
Placinski (10), Luca Zimmermann (9)
TORNEHEKKEN
Anita Killi, Norway 2002
13 min, 35 mm, colour
Statement:
From the Children’s film competition we have selected Tormehekken as the
best children’s film. And it clear that the film is especially topical
right now. The film shows us how terrible war is. What we find especially
interesting is the connection between rabbits and war. Whereas rabbits are
usually seen as cute only, the father in this case has to go to war as a
soldier. When he returns, he is not only outwardly injured, but also
spiritually. It also becomes clear that war can last a long time. We like
how the children defied the decision of the adults.
Special Mention of the Children’s Film Jury
A word of praise for the children’s competition. In the programme there was
not one film which we did not like at all. More than a quarter of the films
were on our shortlist.. The award winner beat some of the other films by no
more than a hair’s breadth.
Prize of the Youth Film Competition for the programmes of the 12 to
16-year-olds, amounting to € 1,000, sponsored by Kinderkanal, the ARD/ZDF
children’s channel
Members of the Jury:
Lisa-Marie Becker (12), Malte Bloch (14), Jana Erlenkamp (13), Mona Gabler
(14), Kai Lander (14)
FAR WEST
Pascal-Alex Vincent, France 2002
18 min, 35 mm, colour
Statement:
The Youth Film Jury has decided to award the film Far West by Pascal Alex
Vincent its prize for the best film in this year’s Youth Film Competition.
A serious topic is shown in a humorous way. The actors are very credible
and the set-design well matched, making us laugh on the one hand and
causing us to think on the other.
Special Mention of the Youth Film Jury
15
Royston Tan, Singapore 2002
25 mn., 35 mm, colour
Statement:
We would like to give a special mention to the filmmaker Royston Tan for
his film 15. 15 is a philosophical film which gives insights into the lives
of three boys in Singapore. The film shows us in an extraordinary way that
the cool young gang members can also be vulnerable
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International Short Film Festival Oberhausen
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