03/04/2017 - The French-Congolese documentary by Dieudo Hamadi came out on top in the international competition, while Hendrick Dusollier won the French competition

Revealed in the Berlinale Forum, Mama Colonel [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Congolese director Dieudo Hamadi has won the Grand Prix in the international competition of the 39th Cinéma du Réel Festival. Produced by French outfit Cinédoc Films together with DR Congo’s Mutotu Productions, the documentary paints a portrait of police colonel Honorine, head of the anti-sexual violence and child protection squad in Bukavu, a city that in 2000 was the battleground for a “six-day war” between the Ugandan and Rwandan armies that cost thousands of civilians their lives and for which no one ever officially went on trial. The international sales are being handled by Andana Films. 

The French competition was dominated by Last Days in Shibati [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Hendrick Dusollier, who spent two years keeping track of the disappearance of the very last historic neighbourhood in Chongqing, the biggest city in China (a production by StudioHdk Productions, Maria Roche Productions and Les Films d'Ici). A Special Mention was bestowed upon Every Wall is a Door [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Elitza Gueorguieva (who was born in Sofia but has been working in Paris for the last 15 years), staged by Les Films du Bilboquet, which documents Bulgaria’s transition to democracy from 1989-1991, using a family-orientated approach, as her mother happened to be the host of a Bulgarian TV show at the time.

We should also point out that the International Competition of Debut Films saw the victory of On the Edge of Life (Ala Hafet Alhayat) by Syria’s Yaser Kassab.

Here is the complete list of winners:

Cinéma du Réel Grand Prix
Mama Colonel [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Dieudo Hamadi (Democratic Republic of the Congo/France)

Scam International Award
In the Intense Now - João Moreira Salles (Brazil)

Institut français Louis Marcorelles Award
Last Days in Shibati [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Hendrick Dusollier (France)
Special Mention
Every Wall is a Door [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Elitza Gueorguieva (France)

Joris Ivens/Cnap Award
On the Edge of Life (Ala Hafet Alhayat) - Yaser Kassab (Syria)

Short Film Award
Nyo Evwta Nafta - Ico Costa (Mozambique/Portugal)
Special Mention
Azaleef - Saif Alsaegh (USA)

Cinéma du Réel Youth Jury Award
Last Days in Shibati - Hendrick Dusollier (France)
Special Mention
I Remember Nothing [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Diane Sara Bouzgarrou (France)

Library Award 
In the Intense Now - João Moreira Salles (Brazil)
Special Mention
Chaque mur est une porte - Elitza Gueorguieva (France)

Intangible Heritage Award
Boli Bana [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Simon Coulibaly Gillard (Belgium)
Special Mention
Hamlet in Palestine [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Nicolas Klotz and Thomas Ostermeier (France/Germany)

Original Music Award 
In the Intense Now - João Moreira Salles (Brazil) - Composer: Rodrigo Leão

Award of the Inmates of the Bois d’Arcy Remand Centre
Through the Looking Glass - Yi Cui (China)
Special Mention
Now He's Out in Public and Everyone Can See - Nathalie Bookchin (USA)

(Translated from French)