Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120361502000.htm

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‘Tulpan’ bags Golden Peacock at IFFI

Prakash Kamat

— PHOTO: PTI

“FOCUS ON WORK”: Actor Kamal Hassan presents the prestigious Golden Peacock award to Sergei Dvortsevoy for his film ‘Tulpan’ during the closing ceremony of the 39th International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Tuesday.

PANAJI: For Sergei Dvortsevoy, the film director from Kazakhstan, it was a grand double! ‘Tulpan,’ a film from Kazakhstan-Germany-Switzerland-Russia-Poland, bagged the coveted Golden Peacock and Rs.40 lakh for the best film, while he himself won the Best Director’s award comprising Silver Peacock, Rs.15 lakh and certification at the 39th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2008.

Sri Lankan actress Malini Fonseca won the Special Jury’s award of Silver Peacock and cash prize of Rs.15 lakh for her “subtle and natural acting” in the lead role in ‘Akasa Kusum’ (Flowers of the Sky).

The Sri Lankan film is based on the life and struggles of the people of Kazakhstan.

Mr. Dvortsevoy, who received his awards from chief guest Kamal Hassan and Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat at the closing ceremony, said: “I think films cannot change the world, but films can change the people who in turn can change the world.”

Great honour

Describing the double awards as a great honour for him and his artistes, he said, “It is great for us. I am happy the jury understood and appreciated our [people of Kazakhstan] life and the story I told about the people of Kazakhstan.”

A delighted Ms. Fonseca said, “I feel we need happiness and peace everywhere in the world, I wish both countries [India and Sri Lanka] get more closer and friendlier.” Ms. Fonseca received the award from Tony Rodrigues, City Mayor of Panaji.

Altogether 14 films from Asia, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa competed for the prestigious three awards. Over 225 films from 44 countries were screened during the 10-day festival.

The jury was headed by noted Hong Kong film director Peter Chan. Other jury members included Marco Muller (Venice), Niki Karimi (Iran), Lav Diaz (Singapore) and Tabassum Hashmi (India).

The curtains came down on Tuesday evening at a simple ceremony held at the Kala Academy complex.

The closing ceremony started by paying tributes to the memory of the victims of the recent Mumbai terror incident.

Addressing the IFFI gathering, Kamal Hassan said, “I know people keep referring to hurdles and dark moments. All that will be addressed by the people and the governments. Normal life has to go on. I am sure questions will be raised and answered.”

Reflecting on the need for focusing on work and duties instead of getting distracted by extraneous emotions and considerations, the actor said, “I came to the films when I was 3-year-old. I am a student of cinema. I know no other school. I have no other religion. This [cinema] becomes my surrogate religion. There is no worship but only a lot of practice here.”

He said, “I am happy to see the film festival has become a success. Life has to go on as normal, at least to prove a point.”

The festival, which opened on November 22 with the screening of the Chinese film ‘The Warlords’ by filmmaker Peter Chan, ended with the screening of Iranian film ‘The song of the sparrows’ directed by Majid Majidi.

Corrections and Clarifications:

The third paragraph in a report "'Tulpan' bags Golden Peacock at IFFI" ("Newscape" page, December 3, 2008) was "The Sri Lankan film is based on the life and struggles of the people of Kazakhstan." It was an editing error. The unedited version said "The award winning film ['Tulpan'] is based on the life and struggles of the people of Kazakhstan." The byline, which was missing, should have said Prakash Kamat (Special Correspondent).