Reports of both juries - 2009

Camera Novo Award, Jury report

The Members of the Jury: Kris Dewitte, Luc Joris, Marijke Pinoy, Laura Verlinden and Klaas Verplancke, have selected the South-Korean film Treeless Mountainto be the winner of the Festival Cinema Novo 2009
A divorce case and the ensuing disruption in family life are treated in a highly personal and idiosyncratic way. At the same time the film shows the resilience of children and their ability to cope in difficult situations by reverting to their imagination.
This modern methaphoric fable about the struggle for life shows a documentary-like, very fragile picture of life and the stunning true-to-life acting of the two children is so convincing that the idea of being manipulated never crosses one's mind.
The director never dwells on direct emotions - in fact she skirts melodrama, which results in the invisible becoming all the more visible.

A special mention goes to Parque Vía by the Mexican director ENRIQUE RIVERO, It is a dry, straight insight into solitude and angst against the outside world by way of a penetrating and ultimately tarnishing portrait of a caretaker and his symbolic captivity, which ends in self -chosen isolation.
At the same time the film bears witness to the dynamic young Mexican film. The striking and carefully measured handling of the cinematographic language and the specific use of sound contribute to a remarkable experience.

Statement
The jury was happy to notice that each film in the Competition has its specific and  personal character. The filmmakers' treatment of  local and personal issues finally leads to their dealing with  universal issues - a clear witness to man's universal instinct for survival.
 

Amakourou Award : Report of the Young Jury

The Amakourou Award goes to Songs from the Southern Seas.by director Marat Sarulu, (Kazachstan, 2008). He will be awarded a sum of 1,250 euro by the Province of West-Flanders.
Jury members: Tamar Cachet, Geraldine Dehondt, Ewoud Vandepitte and Eva Weyts

In the film the main character is in search of his roots in a land at a crossroads of two cultures. This fable-like story about family and relationships urge the viewer to become part and parcel of the grandness and beauty of the steppesThe charming story, the vast panoramas and the compelling music score proved very convincing to us. The grave and penetrating subject is somewhat alleviated by sporadic humour and spontaneity.
A special mention goes to All Around Us (Ryosuke Hashiguchi, Japan 2008) by Ryosuke Hashiguchi.