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BERLINALE 2007 Awards

Golden Bear to Tuya's Marriage

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Although Europe was well represented in competition in Berlin, only two productions (Yella [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
and Hallam Foe [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
) and one co-production (El otro [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
) picked up awards.

Nina Hoss, the third German actress in a row (after Julia Jentsch in 2005 and Sandra Hüller in 2006) to be granted a Silver Bear for Best Actress for her excellent portrayal of Yella in Christian Petzold’s film, did not hide her surprise. After getting over the initial shock, she climbed onstage, overwhelmed but luminous, to receive an award she thought would go to Marianne Faithfull (Irina Palm).

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During the press conference that followed the ceremony, she explained her astonishment at being singled out for a type of performance she finds "very 'interior', delicate and not expansive, with no big shouts or tears".

Director David Mackenzie, accompanied by the Scottish group Franz Ferdinand and his actor Jamie Bell, was very proud of his Silver Bear for Best Music, especially as the soundtrack for his Hallam Foe [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
was very experimental. He said: “The game was not using a score but rather a 'personality ballad'".

Argentina's Ariel Rotter, who directed the French/German/Argentinean co-production El otro, was handed out the Jury Grand Prix and the Silver Bear for Best Actor on behalf of his lead, Julio Chavez.

"This award”, said Rotter, “distinguishes a committed cinema that manages to transcend economical contingencies and highlights these new Argentinean films that do not try to please to public but those who have faith in the seventh art. Getting this prize here in Berlin proves that what counts most is still cinema".

In a private interview with Cineuropa, he added that "having European co-producers is a necessity, but a necessity which quickly becomes a great pleasure".

Also of note is that another German actress, Martina Gedeck, went home with a Silver Bear that was granted to the ensemble cast of Robert De Niro's The Good Shepherd. She said she would keep it for at least a night and then quickly send it to the great US actor-director.

The list of winners:

Golden Bear for Best Film
Tuya's Marriage by Tuyas Ehe - China

Silver Bear-Grand Jury Prize
El Otro [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
by Ariel Rotter – Argentina/France/Germany

Silver Bear for Best Director
Joseph Cedar - Beaufort - Israel

Silver Bear for Best Actress
Nina Hoss - Yella [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
- Germany

Silver Bear for Best Actor
Julio Chávez - El Otro

Silver Bear for Artistic Contribution
The cast of Robert De Niro's The Good Shepherd

Silver Bear for Best Music
Hallam Foe [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
by David Mackenzie - UK

Alfred Bauer Award
I Am a Cyborg, But That's Ok by Park Chan-wook - South Korea

FIPRESCI Award (Competition)
I Served the King of England [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
- Czech Republic/Slovakia

FIPRESCI Award (Panorama)
Takva - A Man's Fear of God [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
- Turkey/Germany

FIPRESCI Award (Forum)
Hounds [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
- Germany

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(Translated from French)

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