German filmmaker Michael Fetter Nathansky’s Every You Every Me scooped best film, screenplay and actress at the Golden Global Awards ceremony of this year’s Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest, July 21-28).
Also scripted by Nathansky, the film revolves around a couple living in Germany’s industrial heartlands who are slowly falling out of love. Aenne Schwarz took the best actress prize for her performance in the film, which also stars Carlo Ljubek.
The MIFFest jury said the film “boldly confronts the real-life challenges faced by the working class, particularly the struggles associated with monetary deficits.”
“The film skillfully transforms these harsh realities into cinematic excellence through its exploration of multiple personality syndrome. It takes a courageous approach in portraying these complex issues, turning a lived experience into a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences.”
Meanwhile, best director in the Golden Global Awards went to Iran’s Alireza Ghasemi and Raha Amirfazli for In The Land Of Brothers, about a family of Afghan refugees in Iran.
Malaysian drama Abang Adik, about a pair of undocumented orphan brothers living in Malalysia, won best actor for Wu Kangren and best supporting actor for Jack Tan. The film, directed by Jin Ong, has won multiple prizes during its festival career. Best supporting actress went to You Junfen for her performance in Liu Yaonan’s The Great Phuket.
Best cinematography went to Tojo Xavier for Dominic Sangma’s Rapture, set among the Garo community in Meghalaya, Northeast India. The New Hope Award, presented to emerging talents, was awarded to Brazilian filmmaker Marcelo Botta for Betania.
The jury was headed by Indian actress, director and producer Suhasini Maniratnam and also included Hong Kong writer-director Felix Chong, Chinese professor and critic Zhang Xianmin, Thai critic and filmmaker Kong Rithdee and Malaysian actor Zul Ariffin.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Indonesian actress Christine Hakim and Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda.
MIFFEST 2024 WINNERS:
Best Film: Every You Every Me, dir: Michael Fetter Nathansky (Germany, Spain)
Best Director: Alireza Ghasemi & Raha Amirfazli, In The Land Of Brothers (France, Iran, Netherlands)
Best Screenplay: Michael Fetter Nathansky, Every You Every Me (Germany, Spain)
Best Actor: Wu Kangren, Abang Adik (Malaysia, Taiwan)
Best Actress: Aenne Schwarz, Every You Every Me (Germany, Spain)
Best Supporting Actor: Jack Tan, Abang Adik (Malaysia, Taiwan)
Best Supporting Actress: You Junfen, The Great Phuket (HK, France, Germany, Belgium)
Best Cinematography: Tojo Xavier, Rapture (India, China, Switzerland, Qatar, Netherlands)
New Hope Award: Betania, Marcelo Botta (Brazil)