Movies that Matter 2023, which runs March 24 to April 1 handed out seven prizes during the Award ceremony held March 29.
THE GRAND JURY DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The Grand Jury Documentary Award was presented to directors Lukasz Konopa and Emil Langballe for their feature doc Theatre of Violence, a film about the search for the essence of justice. The film offers an intriguing insight into the guilt of Dominic Ongwen, who is accused by the International Criminal Court of crimes that were also done to him as a child.
Jury citation: “Complicated and complex, this dramatic film balances two worlds to deliver a visually cinematic and thought-provoking examination of the definition of justice. Through difficult and necessary questions, the film builds a balanced case, forcing the viewer to confront their own interpretation of what it means to be both victim and perpetrator.”
Director Negin Ahmadi receives a Special Mention from the jury for the documentary Dream’s Gate. The documentary about the female Kurdish militia YPJ, offers a unique perspective on the destruction of war and the courage and perseverance of these women.
GRAND JURY FICTION AWARD
Emmanuelle Nicot’s Dalva, about a girl who remains loyal to her father despite his abuse, won this year’s Grand Jury Fiction Award. The jury said: “In the end, we chose a film that exudes the highest form of cinema in every way with a combination of exceptional craftsmanship and extraordinary creative expression. The film deals with a subject so dark and taboo that it is rarely discussed. This film does so with an astute script, nuanced direction and unforgettable acting. The cinematography is exceptionally compelling; we felt we were living every moment.”
Director Maryam Touzani receives a Special Mention from the jury for the film The Blue Caftan. This delicate feature shows a caring relationship between Halim and Mina, in which they have a tacit understanding about Halim’s homosexuality. The Blue Caftan was released by Cinéart.
THE ACTIVIST AWARD
The Activist Award (given in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Postcode Lottery) was given to director Steffi Niederzoll for her documentary Seven Winters in Tehran, about the brave Iranian Reyhaneh Jabbari who was sentenced to death for killing the man who threatened to rape her.
From the jury report: “The activist award goes to a film that left the jury speechless and deeply moved. This film tells a devastating story of great global importance and moves us because of its fight for humanity and justice. Despite the lack of tangible material and extremely difficult production conditions, the filmmakers managed to create an immersive experience that allowed us to be immersed in the story and the characters were brought to life.”
Directors Joseph Curran and Dominic Aubrey de Vere receive a Special Mention from the jury for the documentary A Story of Bones. A revealing documentary about the discovery of mass graves of enslaved people on the island of St Helena, where the legacy of colonialism proves intractable.
CAMERA JUSTITIA PRIZE
Lin Alluna’s film Twice Colonized, about the struggle for justice of renowned Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter, won the Camera Justitia prize. From the jury report: “The winning film convincingly demonstrates the importance of giving people a voice in decision-making, the importance of considering multiple perspectives and recognizing the multiple identities we all have. The film confronts us with the fact that history determines the present and the future and shows that everyone has to find their own way of dealing with it.”
Director Inna Sahakyan receives a Special Mention from the jury for her animated film Aurora’s Sunrise: an epic reconstruction of the story of Aurora Mardiganian and the Armenian genocide.
DUTCH MOVIES MATTER AWARD
Mijn grote broer, a documentary by Mercedes Stalenhoef, about a family in mourning, was awarded the Dutch Movies Matter Award. The jury, led by Ahmet Polat, said of the film: “The filmmaker seems to be part of the family, and the emotions shown in the film are genuine. The film emphasizes the importance of mental health and the grieving process. Stalenhoef portrays each family member’s struggle in a delicate way, and it helps the audience understand the character even though he is no longer there. The film is so unique but also very universal and touches something in us that we feel is urgent.”
Director Reber Dosky receives a Special Mention from the jury for the documentary Daughters of the Sun, about a group of Yezidi women who were used as sex slaves by Islamic State. Daughters of the Sun will be released by Mokum Film on 30 March.
STUDENTS’ CHOICE AWARD
The feature film The Kings of the World, about a road trip of five street boys, was awarded the Students’ Choice Award (offered in collaboration with Leiden University). From the jury report: “The winner of the Students’ Choice Award 2023 is a raw, hard-hitting and unique film. The film contains a lot of intensity and is a very authentic story about current issues such as youth unemployment, violence and poverty. The film’s cinematography complements the story it is trying to convey. The Kings of the World is a wonderful road movie.”
SHORTS AWARD
Haulout by Evgenia Arbugaeva and Maxim Arbugaev, about a researcher in the Russian Arctic, was the first film to win the inaugural Shorts Award for best short film. From the jury report: “The award-winning film takes us to a remote corner at the end of the world, where we witness an amazing and unexpected event. The design of the film – especially the cinematography – blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality. At the end of this journey, we are confronted with the consequences of the impending climate catastrophe.”
Director Élodie Dermange’s receives a Special Mention from the jury for her short film Armat in which a young Swiss woman tries to find out more about her Armenian roots.
The Movies that Matter Festival takes place from 24 March to 1 April in The Hague and at satellite locations across the country.
