[TIFF 2008 Event] Awards Ceremony

Award winners were announced as follows (in the order of announcement):

Akira Kurosawa Award
Nikita Sergeyevich Mikhalkov (director)
Chen Kaige (director)

Left: Nikita Mikhalkov, Right: Chen Kaige

Japanese Eyes
Special Award: Ittoku Kishibe (actor, “Osaka Hamlet”)
Best Picture Award: “buy a suit” (directed by Jun Ichikawa)

Left: Mrs Jun Ichikawa, Right: Tomoya Suenaga
Assistant Director Tomoya Suenaga thought that the late director Jun Ichikawa was happy that the film had the opportunity to join this section of the Tokyo International Film Festival, and explained that this was in many ways a very private film for the director, where he wanted to be a beginner again in a very basic film, such as holding the camera and shooting many scenes himself.


The wife of the director was also present to receive the award. In an emotional thank-you speech, she had said that Jun Ichikawa wanted to remind himself of the things he had forgotten when making films, and she's for sure that he's very happy to receive the award and to thank everyone who have supported his films.

The jury president for Japanese Eyes had shared that it was a heated debate to crown the winner, and that The Blue Bird was also a strong contender. buy a suit gives stimulation to the next generation of filmmakers, and said that there was a debate amongst the jury members about the ending, with expression of anger at how it ended.

Winds of Asia-Middle East
Best Asian-Middle Eastern Film Award: “My Marlon and Brando” (directed by Huseyin Karabey)
Special Mention: “The Sun Also Rises” (directed by Jiang Wen), “The Way We Are” (directed by Ann Hui), “The Convert” (directed by Yasmin Ahmad)

Huseyin Karabey
As explained by the jury president for Winds of Asia-Middle Eeast, My Marlon and Brando was amongst 20 films in a section of interesting quality and variety, and it was from a shortlist down to seven that this road movie with charm stood out.

TOYOTA Earth Grand Prix
Special Award: “THE MEERKATS” (directed by James Honeyborne)
Jury Award: “School Days with a Pig” (directed by Tetsu Maeda)
TOYOTA Earth Grand Prix: “Ashes from the Sky” (directed by José Antonio Quirós)

José Antonio Quirós holding the GlobeTrophy
Competition
The Audience Award: “School Days with a Pig” (directed by Tetsu Maeda)
Award for Best Artistic Contribution: “With a Little Help From Myself”
Award for Best Actor: Vincent Cassel (“Public Enemy No. 1 (Part 1 & 2)”)


Vincent Cassel's Acceptance Speech
Award for Best Actress: Felicite Wouassi (“With a Little Help From Myself”)
Award for Best Director: Sergey Dvortsevoy (“TULPAN”)
Special Jury Prize: “4 Nights with Anna” (directed by Jerzy Skolimowski)
Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix: “TULPAN” (directed by Sergey Dvortsevoy)

Team Tulpan
As explained by Jury President Jon Voight, French cinema has great leading men who are great actors, such as Gerard Depardieu and Michael Gambon, and this one can also be added to the list: Vincent Cassel. and he also commented that Tulpan was a perfect film, masterful in every aspect, beautiful and moving.


Closing Speech by TIFF Chairman Tatsumi Yoda