2007 Sundance winners announced
January 29th, 2007 by Zsofia
The jury and audience award-winners of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival were announced last night (January 28) in Park City, Utah. Here are the results in the documentary category.
The Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was given to “Manda Bala” (“Send a bullet”), directed by Jason Kohn. In Brazil, known as one of the world’s most corrupt and violent countries, “Manda Bala” follows a politician who uses a frog farm to steal billions of dollars, a wealthy businessman who spends a small fortune bullet-proofing his cars, and a plastic surgeon who reconstructs the ears of mutilated kidnapping victims.
The World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary was given to “Enemies of Happiness”, directed by Eva Mulvad and Anja Al Erhayem (Denmark). The film follows Malalai Joya, a 28-year-old Afghani woman, as she redefines the role of women and elected officials with her historic 2005 victory in Afghanistan’s first democratic election in over 30 years.
The Audience Award: Documentary went to “Hear and now”, directed by Irene Taylor Brodsky. Brodsky tells a deeply personal story about her deaf parents and their radical decision - after 65 years living together in silence - to undergo cochlear implant surgery, a procedure that could give them the ability to hear.
The World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary was given to “In the shadow of the moon”, directed by David Sington (UK). One of the defining passages of American history, the Apollo Space Program literally brought the aspirations of a nation to another world. Awe-inspiring footage and candid interviews with the astronauts who visited the moon provide unparalleled perspective on the precious state of our planet.
The Directing Award: Documentary went to Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine, directors of “War/ Dance”. The Documentary Jury presented a Special Jury Prize to “No end in sight”, directed by Charles Ferguson, “in recognition of the film as timely work that clearly illuminates the misguided policy decisions that have led to the catastrophic quagmire of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq.” The World Cinema Documentary Competition Jury presented a Special Jury Prize to “Hot House”, directed by Shimon Dotan (Israel).
For a full list of winners and awards, visit www.sundance.org.
