JURY DECLARATION

The film successfully crafted a charming story of love from a rather annoying, if not obnoxious, depressive young man and his mundane life, with the help of innovative storytelling and powerful performances;

JURY DECLARATION

“No! Please don’t send me back where I came from; they’ve just declared Civil War.” That’s only a part of the game’s rules, yet there are even more severe situations. The political turmoil has created an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion toward anyone you encounter, yet you must rely on them. Violent assaults on individual sectors are in the air. Mr. Mohammed Almughanni’s admirable directorial talents successfully apply his cinematic skills, at a level equivalent to Spielberg’s or Hitchcock’s, in manipulating his audience.

DIRECTOR STATEMENT

This film is about the silent violence in Palestine, about daily life without bombing, how the apartheid divides people on their own land.

JURY DECLARATION

Examining the plane of moving image works, we may observe methods of movement or perspectives similar to VR works, yet they appear as basic viewpoints, with all perception dictated by the director. Its presence on a platform (the cinema) may compel the audience to (endure) watch until the end. When judged by the standards or narrative conventions of typical films, many might question the progression and storytelling techniques.
The tension between these two aspects might be seen as an issue of language usage. Nonetheless, the intriguing aspect of The Exception of History lies in utilizing these elements as a means to an end, specifically to explore history. The arising question is, what is the current state of history? What form does it take? Can it be manipulated, and if so, how?
While not entirely novel, the appearance of The Exception of History on the Signes de Nuit platform in the narrative short film section stands out. The film’s silent nature, devoid of subtitles or explanations, contains text that often appears as images, barely conveying meaning through reading. The aesthetic overlap with the piece’s open-ended aspects, along with the audience’s background and expectations, raises the possibility that a film like The Exception of History might redefine the notion of film. It may expand the ways we view or project context and could influence how the medium of film exists or progresses in the future.

DIRECTOR STATEMENT

This recognition is incredibly meaningful to us, as our goal was to present history in a way that challenges traditional perspectives.

JURY DECLARATION

Somehow, the benefit of being misplaced can unwillingly and unintentionally create significant qualities. Despite being a solo documentary, it is presented in the format of animation. The brilliant and delightful success that Volker Schlecht achieved through his own effort owes a great deal to the unfinished, work-in-progress nature of animation-making. This process transforms into a complete piece of art that moves and blows our minds with its sympathetic mentality and metaphorical connotations related to COVID-19.

JURY DECLARATION

The film successfully transformed the ubiquitous seaside landscape into a sphere where children’s both dreams and nightmares are generated. While effectively amplifying the seaside’s multiple facets—a symbol of happy memories for families, friends, and couples, or a site of infinite, terrifying vastness—the film addresses both general children’s sentiments and the specific theme of borders and migration.

JURY DECLARATION

The sensation in the interstice between storytelling and silence in a film can function both as a representation and a medium for probing the dynamics of relationships and the nuances of mutual perception: between us and the world, child and mother, self and others, or within our own psyche. Atsushi Hirai and his short film, Oyu, invite us to comprehend these distances through moments of quotidian routine and the ethereal steam of water in a sento (public bath) in their authentic form.
Beyond the noren curtain emblazoned with the character (yu) lies an alternate realm where everyone can shed the frantic pace of external work life. The ritual commences with cleansing oneself before descending into a communal warm bath. In this context, bathing in a sento transcends being a private retreat, becoming instead a tranquil space sufficient for relaxation and for attuning to the symphony of sounds both external and internal. We may opt to close our eyes, losing ourselves in solitary relaxation, or open them to perceive others, engage with strangers, or listen to conversations and melodies. These sounds transcend mere auditory experience. Similar to other art forms, when a film is utilized as an exploratory instrument, Oyu serves as testament to an investigation into the internal realms of its characters, the director, and potentially, the audience.

DIRECTOR STATEMENT

"Oyu" focuses on depicting the delicate emotions and relationships of humans. It aims to capture moments and feelings that are often overlooked in daily life, hoping to resonate with the audience. Through this film, I wish to convey the small beauties and warmth that exist in our everyday lives.