AFTER LOCARNO AND TEHERAN, “LA FORTERESSE” WINS GRAND PRIZE IN MONTREAL AND AUDIENCE AWARD IN FLORENCE

Fernand Melgar’s film “La forteresse” was honoured with the Grand Prix, which is the Camera-Stylo Award presented by the Cinémathèque québécoise, at the 11th Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montréal RIDM (November 13-23, 2008). In addition, Karine Sudan was presented an Honourable Mention by the jury for the editing of the film. The international jury stated ist decision as follows: “A remarkably sensitive film exhibiting profound human intelligence. Discreetly and masterfully realised, but never voyeuristic and with a message that is directly and evocatively conveyed”.


Furthermore, the majority of the audience at the 49th Festival dei Popoli in Florence (November 14-21, 2008) voted for “La forteresse” as the recipient of the festival’s Audience Award. The film about the reception centre for asylum-seekers in Vallorbe received an Honourable Mention from the jury of the “Ente dello Spettacolo” Foundation as well.

La forteresse” won the Golden Leopard in the Filmmakers of the Present section at the Locarno International Film Festival. The effect that the film had on the audience at that time – and since – has also been confirmed by the number of admissions in cinemas in the French-speaking region of Switzerland: nearly 25,000 people have already seen the film. Ist social relevance and Fernand Melgar’s sensitivity as a director has contributed to a great deal of recognition for the film, also internationally: “La forteresse” was well received at festivals in Vienna, Seville, Bucarest and Gijon and won the Grand Prize in Teheran.

FESTIVALS

62nd LOCARNO FILM FESTIVAL 5-15 août 2008, Cinéastes du Présent competition, Golden Leopard

2ND FESTIVAL DE DOCUMENTAIRE DE TEHERAN "CINEMA VERITE" 15-19 october 2008, international competition, Grand Prize

VIENNALE 2008 Vienna 17-29 october 2008, main program

49th FESTIVALE DEI POPOLI Florence 14-21 november 2008, international competition, Audience Award and mention from the jury

5th Festival de CINE EUROPEO de Sevilla Eurodoc

 competition

18th DAKINO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Bucarest 26-29 november, section "Politics and cinema"

11th RIDM - RENCONTRES INTERNATIONALES DU DOCUMENTAIRE DE MONTREAL 13-23 november, international competition, Grand Prize and mention from the jury for the editing

FIC GIJON 20-29 november, official selection

32ND GÖTEBORG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 23 january - 2 february 2009, official selection

PLANETE DOC REVIEW Varsovie 8-17 mai 2009, international competition