‘Leviathan’ Named Best Foreign Language Film at Palm Springs Film Fest
Russian drama “Leviathan” was named best foreign language film at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Saturday.
The fest, which comes to a close on Monday, also recognized Haluk Bilginer, who stars in Turkey’s “Winter Sleep,” and “Mommy” star Anne Dorval as best actor and actress in a foreign language film, respectively. PSIFF has screened 196 films from 65 countries.
The Oscar-shortlisted “Leviathan,” directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, was also named best film at the London Film Festival Awards in October.
“At once timely and timeless, this film manages to comment on contemporary issues in a way that is both artistically stunning and deeply humane,” the jury said.
“Winter Sleep,” in which Bilginer stars, was this year’s Palme d’Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival.
“This actor achieves a superb performance through dialogue, and is even more impressive when he’s silent, planning his next lethal response,” juror Ernesto Diezmartínez Guzman said of Bilginer.
Meanwhile, Dorval from Canada’s “Mommy,” was honored for her expressive range. Jury members praised her transition as “crazy mom” to “crazy wise mom.”
Additionally, the New Voices/New Visions Award was given to Vuk Ršumovic’s Serbian film “No One’s Child,” the Cine Latino Award went to the Spanish movie “Flowers” from filmmakers Jon Garaño and José Mari Goenaga, Eliza Kubarska’s Polish film “Walking Under Water” won the John Schlesinger Award — given to a first-time documentary filmmaker — and “Corn Island,” directed by Georgian George Ovashvili, received the HP Bridging the Borders Award, presented by Cinema Without Borders and Hewlett Packard.
Kosovo’s “Three Windows and a Hanging,” from director Isa Qosja, received the Cinema Without Borders Special Jury Award.
Here’s the full list of winners:
FIPRESCI Prize for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Leviathan (Russia), directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev
FIPRESCI Prize for the Best Actor of the Year in a Foreign Language Film
Haluk Bilginer, Winter Sleep (Turkey), directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actressof the Year in a Foreign Language Film
Anne Dorval, Mommy (Canada), directed by Xavier Dolan
New Voices/New Visions Award
No One’s Child (Serbia), directed by Vuk Ršumovic – Winner
Fidelio, Alice’s Journey (France), directed by Lucie Borleteau (Special Mention)
Cine Latino Award
Flowers (Spain), directed by Jon Garaño and José Mari Goenaga
Not All Is Vigil (Spain/ Colombia), directed by Hermes Paralluelo (Special Mention)
The John Schlesinger Award
Walking Under Water (Poland), directed by Eliza Kubarska
HP Bridging the Borders Award
Corn Island (Georgia), directed by George Ovashvili
Cinema Without Borders Special Jury Award
Three Windows and a Hanging (Kosovo), directed by Isa Qosja
Related stories
'Ida,' 'Leviathan,' 'Force Majeure' on Shortlist for Foreign-Language Oscar Race
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
