Like fire by Quebec filmmaker Philippe Lesage won the Grand Prix of the international jury awarded to the best film in the Génération14plus section on Friday evening in Berlin.
“It’s an honor,” the Quebec filmmaker declared on stage, moved, accompanied by his actors. I know you took a risk with this film which didn’t fit into the boxes. I want to thank my amazing cast. It’s an actors’ film. They are great. I owe them a lot! »
PHOTO BALTHAZAR LAB, PROVIDED BY THE PRODUCTION
Like fire by Philippe Lesage
The international jury was made up of three filmmakers, the American Ira Sachs (absent since his film Passages is a finalist in four categories at the Independent Spirit Awards, which are being held this Sunday), the Sudanese Amjad Abu Alala and the Iranian-German Banafshe Hourmazdi.
” This film ! said Amjad Abu Alala while presenting the prize to Philippe Lesage. We reward a film by an artist who is not afraid to take risks. A film in the tradition of Chekhov’s theater and Bergman’s cinema. A film where there is love, hatred, beauty and violence. Where the point of view of adults is dissected by the eyes of young characters. »
“From my point of view, Generation is the most important section of the festival. Reaching a young audience is essential for the survival of film festivals,” said Berlinale co-director Mariëtte Rissenbeek. “It is a selection that reaches several generations and encourages intergenerational dialogue. »
This is a description that suits very well Like firewhose English title, Who By Fire, is borrowed from a song by Leonard Cohen. A brilliant film, which stars Paul Amarahni in the role of a screenwriter who finds his old director friend (Arieh Worthalter) in a large chalet, with his children. The tensions between the two quickly rise to the surface.