The Turkish-German drama “When We Leave” and the Down syndrome romance documentary “Monica & David” have won top honors at the ninth annual Tribeca Film Festival.
“When We Leave,” which stars Sibel Kekilli as a mother who flees her abusive husband by moving with her 5-year-old son from Istanbul to Berlin, won best narrative feature. Kekilli also won best actress.
The jury that decided the category, which included actors Hope Davis and Aaron Eckhart, said in a statement that “When We Leave” ”examines one woman’s struggle for personal freedom. It’s a theme that is often explored – but rarely told with such humanity, subtlety, craftsmanship or immediacy.”
“Monica & David,” which won best documentary, chronicles the love between two people with Down syndrome. It was directed by Alexandra Codina, Monica’s cousin.
Best actor in a narrative feature film went to Eric Elmosnino, who plays the French musician Serge Gains bourg in “Gainsbourg, Jet’Aime … Moi Non Plus.”
The festival also singled out two new filmmakers: Kim Chapiron, the director of the youth correctional facility drama “Dog Pound,” and Clio Barnard, the director of the British documentary-fiction hybrid “The Arbor.”
Jane Rosenthal, who co-founded the festival with Robert De Niro and her husband, entrepreneur Craig Hatkoff, said: “The award-winning films selected by the jury each features strong characters and subjects; these films challenge you to see the world from another perspective.”
The awards were handed out Thursday evening at a ceremony in New York. Tribeca, which finishes Sunday, will screen “Freakonomics” on Friday evening as its closing film.
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More