Ulrich Seidl had canceled his arrival at short notice, he wanted to let the film speak for itself – and following the fierce allegations that had been made regarding the shooting of his work “Sparta”, not expose himself any further. At its world premiere last Sunday, “Sparta” finally won over both the public and the press. Festival director Jose Luis Rebordinos said it was probably Seidl’s “best film”.
In the end, it wasn’t enough for a prize: The “Golden Shell”, which the renowned Spanish festival awards for the best film, went to the work “Los Reyes del Mundo” (“The Kings of the World”) by Laura Mora. The road movie is regarding a gang that sets off from the streets of Medellín into the Colombian hinterland to settle a piece of land.
The Silver Shell for Best Director went to Japan’s Genki Kawamura for the film Hyakku/A Hundred Flowers. It tells the story of a young man’s relationship with his mother, who is suffering from progressive dementia.
Young stars instead of routines
In the race for the shell for the best acting performance, “Sparta” leading actor Georg Friedrich had hopes – he embodies Ewald, who wants to try a new start in Romania and has to confront his pedophile tendencies there.
At the gala on Saturday, two very young acting talents shared the prize: Frenchman Paul Kircher was honored for his portrayal of 17-year-old Lucas in “Le Lycéen/Winter Boy”, Carla Quilez from “La Maternal” received the prize for hers Portrayal of a young pregnant woman in the film “La Maternal”. Director Pilar Palomero discovered the 14-year-old during the pandemic because of her dance routines on TikTok. Quilez won everyone over with her emotional roller coaster rides.
