GERMANY / A wind of victory blows over the Mediterranean

Mediterranean film-makers showed their talents at the recent Berlinale. While 18 films were in competition for the Golden Bears, Mediterranean countries took the best.

From February 11^th to 21^st the German capital hosted the 66^th Berlin International Film Festival. This year the “Berlinale” paid tribute to David Bowie, Alan Rickman and Ettore Scola. The international jury chaired by Meryl Streep had a soft spot for films from Mediterranean countries: seven Bears arrived to decorate the region.

The international jury rewarded:

• “Fuocoammare” (Italy) Gianfranco Rosi: Golden Bear for Best Film

• “L’Avenir”  (France) Mia Hansen-Love: Silver Bear for Best Director

• “Inhebek Hedi” (Tunisia, Belgium) Silver Bear for Best Actor to Majd Mastoura

• “Inhebek Hedi” (Tunisia, Belgium) Mohamed Ben Attia: Best First Film

In the short film category:

• “Balada de um Batraquio” (Portugal) Leonor Teles: Golden Bear for Best Short Film

• “A Man Returned” (Palestine) Mahdi Fleifel: Silver Bear

“Jamais contente” by French director Émilie Deleuze received a special mention from Berlin children in the category “Generation Award”.

A breath of film-making is blowing across the Mediterranean, the rest of the world better be ready for it!