Despite the state being hit by severe floods earlier this year, the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) pulled off yet another edition, treating its passionate audience to what it loves most — cinema of the world and home.
In the International Competition section, Lijo Jose Pellissery won the Silver Crow Pheasant award (or the Rajata Chakoram, INR400,000) for Best Director for Ee. Maa. Yove. Set in Chellanam beach near Kochi in Kerala, the film revolves around the Latin Catholic community, a master mason’s death, and the travails of his son who meets unforeseen obstacles as he tries to give his father his promised grand burial. ‘Ee.Maa.Yove’ also received the NETPAC award for the Best Asian Film in Competition. In November, it received double honours at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI, Goa) as well, in Silver Peacock awards for Best Director and Best Actor (Male) for Chemban Vinod. Pellissery’s previous film was the cult hit ‘Angamaly Diaries’.
Director Anamika Haksar receiving the award
Fresh off her film’s selection at Sundance, Taking the Horse to Eat Jalebis (GhodeKo Jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon) director Anamika Haksar received the Silver Crow Pheasant (INR 300,000) for Best Debut Director and cinematographer SaumyanandSahi a Special Jury Mention. Set in Old Delhi and amidst nostalgia for a vibrant Indo-Islamic culture, the film fuses documentary with magic realism to depict a modern migrant community.
This section’s top award, the Golden Crow Pheasant (INR 1,500,000) went to Rouhollah Hejazi’s Iranian film, The Dark Room (Otagh-e-Tarik). A Special Jury Mention was awarded to the Spanish film The Silence (Los Silencios) by Beatriz Seigner.
The FFSI K R Mohanan Award for Best Film went to Manohar and I (Ami O Manohar) by Amitabha Chatterjee, with a Special Jury Mention to Bilathikuzhal by Vinu Kolichal.
The FIPRESCI Award for Best Malayalam Film went to Zakariya’s Sudani from Nigeria. The film, which screened in the International Competition, follows Majid, a passionate Soccer club manager whose recent hire, Samuel, a Nigerian footballer, severely injures his back in an unfortunate accident. As a result, Samuel is prescribed a two-month bed rest and Majid is obliged to take him in his own home, promising a perfect nursing. Despite their cultural differences, they form an unlikely bond.
For more information on the festival: http://iffk.in