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Yahoo!The 24th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced the winners of the 2009 festival competition at a press conference and Sunday morning brunch at Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort, hosted by KTYD Radio's Julie Ramos.
The festival, which ran from January 22 through February 1, was a huge success. By the look of the theaters you'd never know the economy was in the fight of its life as audiences packed the theaters for the last 11 days, proving once again the power of the art of film.
Prior to the closing night film, the Santa Barbara Independent Audience Award will be announced and the winners of the Sotheby's International Realty 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competition will be shown. The 10-minute films which were shot during 10 days of the festival by high school and college students will be screened and judged today at 1 p.m. at the Lobero Theatre.
The winning films are as follows:
FILM:
Poppy Shakespeare
US PREMIERE Based on the popular novel by Clare Allan (a former mental health patient herself), POPPY SHAKESPEARE is a funny, poignant slice of disrupted life, told from the skewed viewpoints of patients in a North London psychiatric hospital. Poppy, flamboyant and certain of her sanity, is given to “N” to mentor. “N” is a veteran, self-described “dribbler” who long ago resigned herself to life in an institution and to medication. Hatching a plan for Poppy's escape, they form an unlikely friendship. Driven by an affecting and authentic performance from BAFTA-winner Anna Maxwell Martin, the film provides a vivid portrait of flawed characters struggling heroically with their challenged lives. Exploring themes of choice and surrender, institutions and individuals, trivial subsistence and meaningful existence, POPPY SHAKESPEARE is a caustic black comedy with serious intent. -Mahil Senathirajah
The Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema, given to a unique independent feature that has been made outside mainstream Hollywood, went to Poppy Shakespeare, directed by Benjamin Ross, and starring Naomie Harris and Anna Maxwell Martin. A cross between Catch 22 and One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, the film tells the story of two patients who strike up an unlikely, moving, funny, and tragic friendship in a psychiatric hospital. This winner received a camera package worth $60,000
FILM:
A Woman in Berlin (Eine Frau in Berlin)
Adapted from German journalist Marta Hillers's best-selling diary and published anonymously in 1954, A WOMAN IN BERLIN depicts the end of World War II—and all the compromises it required for survival. It is April 1945, and the Red Army is invading Berlin. A photographer and journalist (eloquently played by award-winning actor Nina Hoss) becomes the victim of a traumatic sexual assault at the hands of the occupying soldiers. In her desperation to find some kind of protection for the German women left behind in this war-torn city, she meets a Soviet officer named Andrej, with whom she soon develops a powerful and forbidden relationship. This is a captivating love story about a “deal with the devil” and the treacherous dilemmas that women must navigate in times of war.-Candace Schermerhorn
The Best International Film Award went to A Woman in Berlin (Eine Frau in Berlin) , directed by Max Färberböck. The film is based on the true story of a woman trying to survive the invasion of Berlin by Soviet troops during the last days of World War II.
FILM:
Amar a Morir
WORLD PREMIERE When every opportunity has been granted you in life except for the opportunity to make your own decisions, losing everything for love is the only option. In this world premiere of Fernando Lebrija's debut feature film, Alejandro (José María de Tavira) is the son of a Mexico City magnate whose impending marriage has been arranged to coincide with a corporate merger. In an act of rebellion, a senseless tragedy occurs. Instead of relying on his father's wealth or influence, Alejandro escapes to the beaches of Michoacán where he meets Rosa, a beautiful young girl who is in a situation that mirrors his own. Together they finally discover what it means to love someone to death.-Ilana Luna
The Nueva Vision Award for the best Spanish-language film was awarded to Amar a Morir, directed by Fernando Lebrija and starring José María de Tavira, Martina García, Alberto Estrella, and Raúl Méndez. The young heir to a vast Mexico City banking empire runs away from the cold, corrupt, racist, money-driven, super-elite, super-rich, classist world into which he was born, takes a wrong turn down a wrong road, and finds himself stranded in a poor, remote beach community where he experiences love at first sight with an exotically beautiful local girl—which places him, and her, in grave danger at the hands of a ruthless drug lord.
FILM:
Tulpan
Young Asa has just completed his military service and wishes to return home and start the nomadic life of a shepherd. Living with his sister and brother-in-law, he must get married before he begins his new life. His only hope is the daughter of another shepherd family, the beautiful Tulpan, and she doesn't like him because she thinks his ears are too large. Not letting her perception of his ears get in the way of his dream, Asa continues to pursue her and the shepherd's life. TULPAN tells the charming story of people who not only survive a harsh life, they actually delight in it. Director Sergei Dvortsevoy paints a beautiful landscape of the barren steppe and endless sky in this remarkable film that is simultaneously comedic and breathtaking. -Jeremy Jackson
Best Eastern Bloc Cinema Award went to Germany's Tulpan, directed by Sergei Dvortsevoy, the tale of a young man who can't achieve a long-cherished dream of tending his own flock of sheep without first acquiring a wife.
FILM:
Yes Madam, Sir
US PREMIERE A compelling documentary which follows Kiran Bedi, a professional athlete with a deep interest in social sciences as she becomes the first woman to join the Indian Police Service. Unpopular with her male counterparts, Bedi single-handedly fights back three thousand Sikh militants with a wooden stick during the Punjab separatist riots. When this feat makes international headlines Bedi is judged to be a threat to the male-dominated powers. Reassigned and placed in charge of the overcrowded and notoriously corrupt Tihar Jail, Bedi again garners international acclaim for establishing educational, medical, spiritual and yoga programs for the inmates. Bedi is then sent to the failing police academy and before long transforms the corrupt academy into a respected training institution.-Nanci Herbst
Best Documentary Film Award went to Yes Madam, Sir, directed by Megan Doneman. The film's subject, Kiran Bedi, is arguably India's most controversial daughter, both revered by her supporters and reviled as a publicity seeker by her critics. But no matter what people may think of her, there is no disputing her professional achievements. The winner received a Tunnel Post Production package valued at $100,000, and a one-year IDA membership.
FILM:
Love You More
Georgia sits in a Geography class covering her exercise book with graffiti. Her classmate Peter watches her with longing. Georgia turns and catches him - but ignores his gaze. After school Peter goes to the local record shop to buy the new Buzzcocks single, 'Love You More'. It's the day of its release and he's desperate to own it. As he's flicking through the rack of 'New Releases' Georgia comes in. She's after the same record... But there's only one copy. And Peter's got it. Georgia quizzes him on Buzzcocks. She's quietly impressed that this seeming geek knows his stuff. But there's still only one copy. Georgia slips it into Peter's school bag and they hurry out. In the street she invites him to listen to the stolen record with her. He hesitates and admits he's supposed to be going straight home. Georgia laughs and leads him to her place - a flat above a pub. They go to her bedroom and listen to the song. It's loud and quick and it ends suddenly. Georgia throws herself at Peter and they devour each other; a frenzy of skin and limbs, the energy of the music propelling them into losing their virginity. Georgia walks Peter home. Peter wants to know if she'll continue to ignore him at school. Georgia says, 'Don't be poxy'. They kiss, tenderly. Peter watches Georgia depart. He's madly in love. Georgia walks away.
Bruce Corwin Award for Best Live Action Short Film Under 30 Minutes went to Love You More, directed by Sam Taylor-Wood. Produced by the late Anthony Minghella, the film stars Harry Treadaway and Andrea Riseborough as two teenagers drawn together by the Buzzcocks' single "Love You More" in the summer of 1978.
FILM:
This Way Up
A.T Shank & Son have a bad day at the parlour when a falling boulder flattens their hearse. Emotional and literal pitfalls lie in wait for the odd couple as they make their way cross country with just a coffin for company. This short animated caper puts the fun back into funeral as their journey and relationship unravel on an epic scale.
Bruce Corwin Award for Best Animation Short Film went to This Way Up, directed by Adam Foulkes and Alan Smith. The competition was stiff in this category: laying the dead to rest has never been so much trouble. This Way Up was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short.
FILM:
Yes Madam, Sir
US PREMIERE A compelling documentary which follows Kiran Bedi, a professional athlete with a deep interest in social sciences as she becomes the first woman to join the Indian Police Service. Unpopular with her male counterparts, Bedi single-handedly fights back three thousand Sikh militants with a wooden stick during the Punjab separatist riots. When this feat makes international headlines Bedi is judged to be a threat to the male-dominated powers. Reassigned and placed in charge of the overcrowded and notoriously corrupt Tihar Jail, Bedi again garners international acclaim for establishing educational, medical, spiritual and yoga programs for the inmates. Bedi is then sent to the failing police academy and before long transforms the corrupt academy into a respected training institution.-Nanci Herbst
The Fund for Santa Barbara Social Justice Award, sponsored by The Fund for Santa Barbara, is for a documentary film that addresses social justice issues. This year's winner is Yes Madam, Sir. gaining a $2,500 prize.
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FILM:
Lightbulb
CLOSING NIGHT - WORLD PREMIERE LIGHTBULB is a serious comedy about two friends, a small-time inventor and a fast-talking salesman who deal with mishaps and failed inventions before coming up with a product that becomes a worldwide phenomenon. LIGHTBULB is a story about hope and persistence in the face of hard times.LIGHTBULB features Dallas Roberts (I WALK THE LINE, 3:10 TO YUMA), Jeremy Renner (THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES, THE HURT LOCKER), Ayelet Zurer (MUNICH, ANGELS & DEMONS). LIGHTBULB is directed by Jeff Balsmeyer, whose first feature DANNY DECKCHAIR opened to rave reviews and was the closing night film at the Toronto Film Festival.
The festival closes tonight with the World Premiere of The Lightbulb, directed by Jeff Balsmeyer. Starring Dallas Roberts, Jeremy Renner, and Ayelet Zurer, this is a true and timely rags-to-riches story of two friends — a small-time inventor and a sharky salesman — who hit rock bottom before coming up with a gizmo that becomes a worldwide phenomenon.
The Jury for the 2009 SBIFF included: Dave Stein, Jury Chair; actor/comedian Gary Anthony Williams, (director of the new L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival) on the Shorts Jury; Academy Award-nominated actor James Cromwell (W.) and actor Anthony Zerbe (The Matrix) on the International Jury and Eastern European Bloc; Academy Award-nominated director Gil Kenan (Monster House) and producer Leslie Caveny (Penelope and Everybody Loves Raymond) judged Independent Features; producer Lauren Moews (Cabin Fever) and Eddie Schmidt (president, International Documentary Assoc.) served on the Documentary Jury; and actors Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite) and Rodrigo Santoro (Che, Love, Actually) juried the Latino CineMedia films.
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