João Canijo’s Mal Viver won the Silver Bear for the Jury Prize at the 73rd Berlin Film Festival this Saturday, the jury announced at the awards ceremony.
In his acceptance speech, Caniho thanked the production and distribution team, as well as the team that worked with him to create an “almost all-female” film, naming director of photography Leonor Teles in particular.
“End, [agradeço] the women who gave their lives to me for this film, the actresses, they are beautiful and they gave their lives to me,” said the Portuguese director.
João Canijo was in competition at this festival with two related feature films that premiered in different sections: “Mal Viver” was in the official competition and “Viver Mal” in the Encontros section dedicated to “new cinematic visions”.
“Mal Weaver” “is the story of a family of multi-generational women who lead a life torn apart by resentment and anger, shaken by the unexpected arrival of their granddaughter over the weekend,” the text reads. – if in the synopsis.
The Weaver Mall runs parallel to this story, focusing on the guests passing through the hotel.
Mainly female cast: Rita Blanco, Anabela Moreira, Madalena Almeida, Clea Almeida, Vera Barreto, Filip Areos, Leonor Silveira, Lia Carvalho, Beatriz Batarda, Leonor Vasconcelos and Carolina Amaral, joined by Nuno López and Rafael Morais.
Production company Midas Filmes describes these films as “one of the most ambitious artistic endeavors of recent years” in João Canijo’s career. Both premieres in Portuguese cinemas will take place on May 11.
João Canijo has already been present at other major film festivals such as Cannes with “Noite Escura” (2004), Veneza with “Mal Nascida” (2007) and San Sebastian where he received two awards with “Sangue do meu Sangue” “. “(2011).
This year’s Berlinale International Competition Jury, chaired by American actress Kristen Stewart, consisted of Iranian actress Golshifte Farahani, German director Valeska Grisebach, Romanian Radu Jude, North American casting director Francine Meisler, Spanish director Carla Simone and Hong Kong director Johnny To.