The Ivorian fable La Nuit des Rois wins the FIFF 2021 Grand Prix
For the second time in a row, the Fribourg International Film Festival (FIFF) has awarded its most prestigious prize, the Grand Prix, to a film from Africa. La Nuit des Rois by director Philippe Lacôte is an Ivorian political fable of Shakespearean beauty . The Special Jury Award goes to the subversive dark comedy Bad Christmas by Gastón Portal (Argentina, Uruguay), and the riotous western-style road movie Monsters Never Know by Yang Ming (China) wins the Best International Short Film Award. According to the latest estimates by the FIFF organising team, close to 33,000 tickets have been sold for the 35th edition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTQUR9issT0Award function of best film
At the Closing Ceremony, the members of the Jury singled out the exceptional quality and uniqueness of the films in competition for high praise. This diversity is also reflected in the winning productions. The choices of the Juries were as eclectic as the films on show in Fribourg this year and included an African fable (La Nuit des Rois by Philippe Lacôte), a subversive dark comedy (Bad Christmas by Gastón Portal) and a poignant adoption drama (True Mothers by Naomi Kawase). Quo vadis, Aida?, Jasmila Žbanic’s tribute to victims and survivors of the Srebrenica massacre, picked up two awards much coveted by many filmmakers: the COMUNDO Youth Jury Award and the Audience Award. The award ceremony was followed by a surprise screening – and Swiss premiere – of Aline, a film loosely based on the life of Céline Dion. Presented earlier this month at Cannes by director Valérie Lemercier, the film will go on nationwide release in Switzerland towards the end of the year. It was a fitting end to the music-filled 35th edition.
Close to 33,000 tickets sold
According to reasonable estimates, FIFF will have sold a little under 33,000 tickets for its 35th edition. Philippe Clivaz, FIFF’s Operational Director, is delighted, “This is a fantastic result particularly given that the Festival was held not only during a pandemic but also at the height of summer, during peak holiday season and a period of very warm weather. The FIFF team would have been happy if attendance figures reached 50% of 2019 . But the final numbers will actually be much higher!”
Although the Festival did not have a Covid certificate requirement, it still had a prevention and control programme in place to keep the public and the FIFF team as safe as possible. These protective measures did not curb the enthusiasm of the FIFF audience, who will no doubt declare repeatedly and proudly that “I was there”. I was there for the unforgettable Opening Ceremony on 16th July when cinema and live music coalesced in an original and stunning audiovisual performance. I was there for the roundtable when Rwandan authorities and filmmakers discussed their country’s burgeoning film industry. I was there for the filmmaking lesson by legendary Mexican director Guillermo del Toro. I was there when La Gale spoke about her fight for the peoples of Palestine and Lebanon abandoned to their fate. I was there at the Masterclass when Étienne Daho declared his undying love for cinema.
Thierry Jobin, FIFF’s Artistic Director, is thrilled, “These memorable moments would not have been possible without our extraordinary team. For some of them, this was the first time they experienced the Festival in full. Everyone met the challenges wrought by COVID-19 head on. This included setting up video conference calls so that the FIFF audience could meet, hear from and talk to filmmakers from around the world. Given the hurdles we have managed to overcome, we are now well-equipped to organise any festival. This will come in very handy given that our next edition is only eight months away!”
For Mathieu Fleury, President of the FIFF Association, “The resumption of cultural life after a lengthy hiatus showed us that festivals play, and will certainly continue to play, a central role in satisfying the public’s desire for collective experiences. We really feel that from the Opening Ceremony to the Closing, the public has gradually reclaimed the Festival. And we will be here again for the 36th edition, planned for 18th – 27th March 2022.”
FIFF office,aperitif
Live Landwehr band music during opening ceremony
