What To Watch

‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,’ ‘Black Box Diaries’ Win at Zurich

Published

1 month ago

October 13, 2024

“On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” has been awarded the Golden Eye at Zurich Film Festival.

Jury president Lee Daniels – joined by Souheila Yacoub, Jo Willems, Sophie Deraspe and Ewa Puszczyńska – praised director Rungano Nyoni and her “miraculous” second film about past traumas finally coming to the surface when a family prepares for a funeral of an uncle: “We believe she’ll take over Hollywood,” he said.

“From the first shot of this film, we are thrust into a world that is spectacularly shot, filled with incredible music, exquisite sound design and acting that left us all breathless,” he added, calling it a surreal, dramatic comedy full of surprises about the lies we tell ourselves.”

Following the film’s Cannes premiere, Variety’s Guy Lodge called Nyoni’s film “darkly transfixing” and “at once intrepidly daring and rigorously poised.”

Festival director Christian Jungen told Variety: “It’s a very original and surprising film from a strong female voice. We are thrilled that the jury shares our passion and we can’t wait to see her third film.”

Jianjie Lin’s “A Brief History of a Family” got a Special Mention.

“I started in independent cinema and it feels like I’ve come full circle watching these brave new voices, daring to bare their souls. It’s been humbling and, selfishly, a reminder for me to continue to do the same,” added Daniels, calling Lin’s film “powerfully quiet.”

In the Documentary Competition, “Black Box Diaries” by Shiori Itō, documenting her own sexual assault investigation and case in Japan, was named the winner. It also convinced the viewers, who gave it the Audience Award.

“Over the course of several years, we see her fight the retrograde sexual assault laws of her country, the corruption of the police and the warnings from her own family. To find justice for herself and for all abused women in Japan and around the world. We were in awe of Shiori Itō’s resilience, openness and courage to be vulnerable,” revealed jury president Kevin Macdonald, Franziska Sonder, Vincent Kelner, Anna Hints and Ben Bernhard.

“With its careful editing, it unspools as a sensitive, yet thriller-like story. This film has the power to change the systematic violence against women around the world.”

Special Mentions went to “Sabbath Queen” by Sandi DuBowski – “About a gay man from a family with 38 generations of orthodox Rabbis, who shows us that even the most monolithic cultural traditions can be challenged” – and “Marching in the Dark,” directed by Kinshuk Surjan.

“We honestly couldn’t decide between this film and the ultimate winner of the competition. Our hearts broke for the Indian village women who have lost their husbands to suicide, but also melted as they found joy in female companionship and shaping their own destinies in a misogynist world,” they stated.

Other awardees included, among others, “Les Courageux” by Jasmin Gordon, which picked up the ZFF Critics’ Award and the Film Prize of the Churches of Zurich, and “Leeuwin,” noticed by the Kids Jury.

During this year’s edition, female voices felt especially loud – as exemplified also by its celebrity guests, from Pamela Anderson to Kate Winslet, who came to promote “Lee,” about Lee Miller.

“It’s important that their stories are being told,” said Jungen, who was “especially proud of the award for Pamela Anderson.” She picked up the Golden Eye Award at the fest.

“She gives a career re-defining performance in ‘The Last Showgirl’ and I truly hope we can see more of her in auteur films. I wouldn’t be surprised if she got an Oscar nomination for her performance.”

Jungen also gave a shoutout to Swiss drama “Frieda’s Case” by Maria Braendle, based on the true story of a seamstress accused of murdering her child in 1904.

“When it got an 8-minute standing ovation, I was very happy and relieved. The film shows how civil society advocated for a judicial reform that grants women equal rights. It’s a very strong Swiss film with international potential.”

You can find the full list of awards here:

Feature Film Competition
“On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,” dir. Rungano Nyoni

Special Mention
“A Brief History of a Family,” dir. Jianjie Lin

Documentary Competition
“Black Box Diaries,” dir. Shiori Itō

Special Mention
“Sabbath Queen,” dir. Sandi DuBowski

Extra Special Mention
“Marching in the Dark,” dir. Kinshuk Surjan

ZFF Critics’ Award
“Les Courageux,” dir. Jasmin Gordon

Special Mention:
“E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea,” dir. Beatrice Minger and Christoph Schaub

ZFF for Kids Jury Award
“Leeuwin,” dir. Raymond Grimberge

ZFF for Kids Audience Award
“Die Heinzels – Neue Mutzen, Neue Mission,” dir. Ute Von Münchow-Pohl

Film Prize of the Churches of Zurich
“Les Courageux”

Best International Film Music
Ahmed Soroko