WINNERS OF NON-STATUTORY AWARDS AT KARLOVY VARY FILMFESTIVAL 2016

---

Award of International Film Critics
Awarded by The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI).

Original Bliss / Gleißendes Glück
Directed by: Sven Taddicken
Germany, 2016

Original Bliss is a distinctive, daring and provocative film, disturbing but at the same time romantic; it does not cease to surprise. The director’s thematic and artistic ambition is matched by narrative playfulness, and delivered by an exceptional performance of the three lead actors.

FIPRESCI JURY

Mihai Chirilov, Romania
Ohad Landesman, Israel
Demetrios Matheou, United Kingdom
Martina Vacková, Czech Republic
Clementine Van Wijngaarden, Netherlands

 

The Ecumenical Jury Award

The Confessions / Le confessioni
Directed by: Roberto Andò
Italy, France, 2016 

A film with well-balanced symbolism and clean aesthetics reflecting on silence, time and human vulnerability as well as on the possibility of redemption, it calls out for breaking away from the pragmatic cynicism of powerfull decision-makers as opposed to consciousness and return to essential principles of Christianity.

The Ecumenical Jury

Susanne Charlotte Knudstorp, Denmark
Maria José Martinez, Ecuador
Joel Ruml, Czech Republic
Stanislav Zeman, Czech Republic

 

FEDEORA Award
Federation of Film Critics of Europe and the Mediterranean for the best film from East of the West – Competition section

Collector / Kollektor
Directed by: Alexei Krasovskiy
Russia, 2016

In his compact script, full of meticulous observations, the director sketches the trajectory of a ruthless character, exploiting to the fullest, the concept of a single location, slowly but surely creating an atmosphere of unabated suspense, and eliciting a great performance from the lead actor, Konstantin Khabenskiy.

FEDEORA JURY

Dubravka Lakić, Serbia
Ninos Feneck Mikelides, Greece
Michael Ranze, Germany 

 

Europa Cinemas Label Award
For the best European film in the Official Selection – Competition and in the East of the West – Competition.

Original Bliss / Gleißendes Glück
Directed by: Sven Taddicken
Germany, 2016

First of all, we would like to state that it was a great honour for us to be a part of the jury and to be allowed to watch amazing movies which made us discuss, analyse and argue and did not cease to captivate us. In Original Bliss, Sven Taddicken tells a comprehensible story, which will surely reach a broader audience and which made us want to see it again. Original Bliss is a daring exploration of faith, deviant addictions and violence told through the encounter between Helen and Eduard; but above all it is a story of acceptance and newfound freedom achieved through mutual trust and understanding. Amazing performances, lively dialogue, and witty humour make Original Bliss a highly worthy recipient of this year’s Europa Cinemas Label Award.

Europa Cinemas Label Jury

Jörg Jacob, Germany
Aiga Stengrevica, Latvia
Theodora Olivi, France
Samo Seničar, Slovenia