Spanish director Carlos Vermut won this year's top award for his film "Magical Girl" and also claimed the best director prize Saturday at Spain's San Sebastian Film Festival.
The movie, a Spanish-French co-production starring Luis Bermejo, Jose Sacristan, Barbara Lennie and Lucia Pollan, is Vermut's second feature film — after his debut with "Diamond Flash" — and is a crime drama in the film noir tradition, set in Madrid and with references to Japanese manga comics.
It tells the story of Alicia, a sickly child who dreams of a dress in a comic strip called "Magical Girl Yukiko." Her father, Luis, will do anything to make his ailing daughter's dreams come true, but the characters become enmeshed in a plot of blackmail and irresistible fate.
"Cinema is a trip you don't embark upon alone," said Vermut. "I ??like characters more than plots, and I've featured as a character in the previous award," he said when presented with the best film statuette.
Javier Gutierrez won the best actor award for his interpretation of a policeman poles apart from his partner in Alberto Rodriguez's thriller "La Isla Minima" ("Marshland").
The two cops are sent — as a reprimand for a previous mistake — to investigate the disappearance of two teenagers in a remote village firmly anchored in the past. There they must pit their wits against a brutal killer.
"The real winner is the atmosphere of the film," said cameraman Alex Catalan who stepped up to collect the best filmography award for the movie in which Gutierrez starred.
Danish actress Paprika Steen was given the best actress award for her role in "Stille Hjerte" (Silent Heart), directed by fellow Dane Bille August.
At the festival, actors Denzel Washington and Benicio del Toro were also awarded with the Donostia Award acknowledging their careers.
The awards were handed to the winners at a glittering ceremony Saturday night in the northern seaside resort city of San Sebastian.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More