Press Releases 2016

The members of the Children’s Jury in Generation Kplus

Fabian Behrendt
Mathilda Fastabend
Felix Fuentes-Hare
Julian Leisle
Lilia Channary Noack
Mette Maren Schmahl
Fritzi Schneider-Reuter
Moritz Süßenbach
Sophie Tischmann
Tamino Köhne
Irma Weiche

give the following awards:

Crystal Bear for the Best Film: Ottaal (The Trap)
By Jayaraj Rajasekharan Nair, India 2015
This exceptional movie touched us all with its irresistible images of nature, laid-back music and amazingly gifted actors. The unique way of filming certain details blew us away. We think it’s important that such a sad and serious topic be tackled in a movie, though the film also managed to capture the humour and joy of life.

Special Mention: Jamais contente (Miss Impossible)
By Emilie Deleuze, France 2016
Using a lot of humour, this film tells an extraordinary story which we were able to relate too well. The film is brought to life by the phenomenal acting talent on display. The soundtrack is so compelling that we would have loved nothing more than to jump up and start dancing.

Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film: El inicio de Fabrizio (Fabrizio’s Initiation)
By Mariano Biasin, Argentina 2015
We thought this very humorous short film was interesting and funny. The actors were good and made us laugh. The message of the film reinforced our feeling that there’s no reason to rush when it comes to the first time.

Special Mention Short Film: Ninnoc
By Niki Padidar, Netherlands 2015
This short film sets itself apart from the others by describing a rather sad subject in a humorous way from the perspective of a child. The film uses beautiful examples to illustrate how each individual is different but nevertheless has a role to play within the community.

The members of the International Jury Generation Kplus

Anne Kodura
Nagesh Kukunoor
Kathy Loizou

give the following awards:

The Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the Best Film, endowed with € 7,500 by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk (The Children’s Charity of Germany): Rara
By Pepa San Martín, Chile / Argentina 2016
From its opening shot we get an accurate and thoroughly enjoyable glimpse into an adolescent’s life as she grapples with the everyday problems of growing up. Each scene in this powerful film is carefully constructed with complete economy of movement and script. The characters and relationships are etched flawlessly depicting a modern reality that both reflects the time we live in as well as makes us question the very concept of a perfect family. The acting, the script and above all the direction keep us totally engrossed in this beautiful tale of loyalty, despair, hope and ultimately love in its many forms.

Special Mention: Genç Pehlivanlar (Young Wrestlers)
By Mete Gümürhan, Turkey / Netherlands 2016
This film throws you directly into a boy’s world. The camera takes us on a journey where we see them grapple with the joy and agony of growing up. Without being preachy or condescending, the director shows us a beautiful yet realistic side of a wrestling academy complete with bloody noses, pain, tears and the joy of a perfect slam on the mat. As we start to identify with each of the characters and experience their highs and lows we start rooting for all of them to succeed.

The Special Prize of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the Best Short Film, endowed with € 2,500 by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk (The Children’s Charity of Germany): Semele
By Myrsini Aristidou, USA / Cyprus 2015
The director’s spare, unadorned style is in perfect step with the story, allowing the emotional undercurrents to slowly work their way to the surface. Quiet looks, small smiles, build to a common bond between father and daughter. This is simply about a girl who wants to see her dad.

Special Mention: Aurelia y Pedro (Aurelia and Pedro)
By Omar Robles, José Permar, Mexico 2016
Two things stand out in this film: the special bond between a mother and son and the beauty of the remote environment in which they live. We see their day-to-day: the herding of goats and the preparing of food in their mountainside hut. But the directors’ real achievement is to show us the communion between mother and son, and to move us with the love between them.

Award ceremony and screening of the winning film take place today at 3.30 pm at Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Cinema 1.

Press Office
February 20, 2016