Berlinale 2011: Crystal Bears and Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Awards in Generation Kplus
The members of the Children’s Jury Generation Kplus
Ilenga Altuğ
Christian Becker
Merten Ebbert
Antonia Felsmann
Mascha Tabea Luise Leskien
Olivia Mirza
Jakob Oeschey
Paul Reichhoff
Lotta Schwerk
Jurek Stanislawski
Liv Thastum
give the following awards:
Crystal Bear for the Best Feature Film: Keepern til Liverpool
by Arild Andresen, Norway 2010
The story is funny and the young actors enthralling. We couldnt help laughing. An outsider becomes a hero because of a great love.
Special Mention: Mabul
by Guy Nattiv, Israel/Canada/Germany/France 2010
The tenderly developed story realistically portrays the life of a family at a very difficult time. We were especially impressed by the slowly developing loving relationship between the two brothers. The actors were brilliant.
Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film: Lily
by Kasimir Burgess, Australia 2010
We really love this film because of the touching and beautiful way in which a young girl looks after her ill father. This and the wonderful camera work created for us an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Special Mention: Minnie Loves Junior
by Andy Mullins and Matthew Mullins, Australia 2010
True love doesnt need words, at least not that many. That is what this touching story about two children on the beach in Australia has shown us. A small girl falls in love with a dreamy beachcomber who doesnt at first return her love but then literally takes a dive.
The members of the International Jury Generation Kplus
Mabel Cheung
Jonathan Davis
Felix Gönnert
Rachel Perkins
Taika Waititi
give the following awards:
Grand Prix of the Deutsche Kinderhilfswerk for the Best Feature Film, endowed with 7,500 Euro: Jutro będzie lepiej
by Dorota Kędzierzawska, Poland/Japan 2010
The jury was struck by the beautiful combination of playfulness and humour within a tense story of survival. The film-makers, with assured direction and beautiful cinematography, have crafted a moving story set in a harsh world where children are free to control their lives but not their destinies. With exceptional performances that create light in the darkest of situations, this film impressively sets an intimate and personal story against an important political and social backdrop.
Special Mention: Keepern til Liverpool
by Arild Andresen, Norway 2010
We were impressed by this imaginative and confident story of a boy with no confidence, trying to navigate the rough road of adolescence, in search of love and courage. A great combination of subtle performance, keen humour and hilarious fantasy sequences, this film kept the jury and the audience tight within its grip.
Special Prize of the Deutsche Kinderhilfswerk for the Best Short Film, endowed with 2,500 Euro: Land of the Heroes
by Sahim Omar Kalifa, Belgium 2010
A mother sits at the breakfast table and tests a hand-held rocket-launcher. The longing for power is huge. But things can change quickly and the question remains unanswered who is the winner? Through surprising turns and strong images, the filmmakers create a dense and exciting story about the absurdities of a society in which violence and oppression dominate.
Special Mention: Dimanche
by Patrick Doyon, Canada 2011
The engaging animation, combined with a sense of humour and understanding, transforms a boys mundane Sunday into a journey of fantasy and enlightenment
