Chinese film 'Jinpa' wins Orizzonti prize at Venice

By Zhang Rui
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, September 10, 2018
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Director Pema Tseden holds his best screenplay award won in the Orizzonti (Horizons) program at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Sept. 8, 2018. [Photo courtesy of Jet Tone Films]

Chinese film "Jinpa" by Tibetan director Pema Tseden won best screenplay in the Orizzonti (Horizons) program of the 75th Venice International Film Festival which closed on Saturday. 

"Jinpa," a unique Tibetan noir road movie, was praised by international critics and audiences after its world premiere on Sept. 4 in Venice. It is the only Chinese film to win an award at the Venice festival this year. The screenplay was written by its director Pema Tseden, who put two short stories together -- one is "The Killer" by Tibetan writer Tsering Norbu, and the other is Pema Tseden's own short story "I Ran Over a Sheep."

After receiving the award onstage, Pema Tseden said, "For me, standing here to receive this award is an especially glorious moment. Thanks to the jury and thanks to the investors, cast members and my creative team for completing this film with me and fulfilling our dreams."

Hong Kong film guru Wong Kar-wai, the executive producer of "Jinpa," sent his congratulations later, "The Qinghai-Tibet line passes through the uninhabited area of Hoh Xil, a cold and often inaccessible region. But this is the place where the movie 'Jinpa' began, and is also the starting point from where director Pema Tseden and his young team shared their story with the world. Their purity and dedication to the film are admirable."

"Jinpa" will also be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, which opened on Sept. 6. Its Chinese release date will be determined soon.

Besides "Jinpa," another Chinese film "Shadow" by master filmmaker Zhang Yimou was also screened out of competition at Venice Film Festival while Zhang won Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker prize there.

The 75th Venice International Film Festival closed with Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma" winning the festival's Golden Lion. Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos' "The Favourite" scored two big awards -- the Grand Jury Prize, the fest's second-most prestigious prize, and the best actress (Olivia Colman). Another film taking home two awards at the festival was Australian writer-director Jennifer Kent's "The Nightingale," which won the Special Jury Prize and Marcello Mastroianni Award for Young Performer (Baykali Ganambarr).

Director Pema Tseden and his team pose for photo at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Sept. 8, 2018. [Photo courtesy of Jet Tone Films]

Below is the complete list of the winners from the 75th Venice International Film Festival:

In Competition 

Golden Lion: "Roma," Alfonso Cuaron

Silver Lion for Best Director: Jacques Audiard, "The Sisters Brothers"

Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Olivia Colman, "The Favourite"

Volpi Cup for Best Actor: Willem Dafoe, "At Eternity's Gate"

Best Screenplay: Joel and Ethan Coen, "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs"

Special Jury Prize: "The Nightingale" Jennifer Kent

Marcello Mastroianni Award for Young Performer: Baykali Ganambarr "The Nightingale"

Orizzonti (Horizons)

Best Film: "Manta Ray," Phuttiphong Aroonpheng

Best Director: Emir Baigazin, "The River"

Special Jury Prize: "The Announcement," Mahmut Fazil Coskun

Best Actress: Natalya Kudryashova "The Man Who Surprised Everyone"

Best Actor: Kais Nashif "Tel Aviv on Fire"

Best Screenplay: "Jinpa," Pema Tseden

Best Short Film: "Kado," Aditya Ahmad

Lion of the Future: "The Day I Lost My Shadow," Soudade Kaadan, Syria

Venice Classics 

Best Documentary on Cinema: "The Great Buster: A Celebration," Peter Bogdanovich

Best Restored Film: "The Night of the Shooting Stars," Paolo and Vittorio Taviani

Virtual Reality Competition

Best Virtual Reality: "Spheres," Eliza McNitt

Best Virtual Reality Experience: "Buddy VR," Chuck Chae

Best Virtual Reality Story: "Isle of the Dead," Benjamin Nuel

Mexican film director Alfonso Cuaron wins the top prize at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, the Golden Lion, with his movie "Roma," in Venice, Italy, Sept. 8, 2018. [photo/VCG]


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