81st International Film Festival Venice

28.08.2024 to 07.09.2024
Venice

© Gabi Marks


The INTERFILM Jury at the 81st Mostra internazionale d'Arte cinematografica in Venice has given the INTERFILM Award for the Promotion of Interreligious Dialogue to "Quiet Life" by Alexandros Avranas. The film's lead actor, Grigory Dobrygin, accepted the award plaque and certificate at the award ceremony on the terrace in front of the Palazzo del Casinò and conveyed the director's words of thanks. His message was: "Thank you to the INTERFILM jury for this incredible honor. I’m deeply grateful that "Quiet Life" has been recognized for promoting interreligious dialogue. The story of Sergei and Natalia reflects the struggles of countless refugees, and their fight to preserve hope in the face of despair. By sharing their journey, we aimed to inspire empathy and spark dialogue about the human condition, no matter our background or beliefs. Thank you to everyone who made this film possible. We hope it continues to resonate and encourage conversations that bridge divides."

© Les films du Worso


The regulations of the prize state: "The award will support films which empower understanding, respect, sympathy and peace between people of different origins, histories and beliefs in place of conflict, violence, and suppression. Witnessing rising tensions and deep-rooted prejudice between religious groups in several regions of our world, INTERFILM intends the award to be a sign for the better: for sharing our hopes and our anxieties, for acknowledging the other as our neighbour, and for trusting in the power of artistic imagination to overcome suspicion and hostility."

© Gabi Marks


The INTERFILM Jury's award ceremony took place together with that of the Catholic SIGNIS Jury, which conferred its award to the Brazilian film "Ainda estou aqui" (I'm Still Here) by Walter Salles. The international festival jury, chaired by Isabelle Huppert, also awarded the film the prize for Best Screenplay, honouring the two authors Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega.

© Alile Onawale


The Golden Lion went to "The Room Next Door" by Pedro Almodóvar, starring Tilda Swinton and Julienne Moore. Silver Lions were awarded to the film "Vermiglio" by Mauro Delpero (Grand Jury Prize) and Brady Corbet for his film "The Brutalist" (Best Director Award), which was also honoured by the Jury of International Film Critics (Fipresci) as the best film in the International Competition. In the Orizzonti section, the critics' jury awarded its prize to the Romanian film "Anul nou care n-a fost" (The New Year that Never Came) by Bogdan Muresanu.

On 28 August, the 81st Venice Film Festival opened with Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice", the sequel to his 1988 horror comedy starring Micheal Keaton and Wynona Ryder. Director Peter Weir and actress Sigourney Weaver were honoured with an Honorary Golden Lion for their lifetime achievement. A jury appointed by INTERFILM awarded the INTERFILM Prize for the Promotion of Interreligious Dialogue for the 13th time to a film from the two competition sections Venezia 2024 and Orizzonti.

Link: Festival homepage,

© Anbdrea Avezzù, La Biennale di Venezia - Foto: ASAC

Award

Directed by:
2024

“Quiet Life” is not always quiet at all. A family is seeking asylum, which is unfortunately denied. The rejection results in a mysterious coma for the two children - the so called “child resignation syndrome”. This incredibly dense film is clearly structured, the actors performances are deeply touching and stressful at the same time, and confront us with the hypocrisy of a so called human, but indeed a bureaucracy as cold as ice. By choosing this film we encourage people to think about human dignity, strengthen solidarity with asylum seekers, and promote our awareness for all kinds of rejection (photo: © Les films du Worso).

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