Thiruvananthapuram, Saturday 19 December 2009: Indonesian film ‘Fishing Platform’ directed by Ravi Bharwani and Iranian film ‘About Elly’ directed by Asghar Farhadi shared the prestigious ‘Suvarna Chakoram’ (Golden Crow Pheasant) Award, for the best feature film at the 14th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), which ended here on Friday.

‘True Noon’ from Tajikistan, directed by Nosir Saidov, got the Silver Crow Pheasant Award for the best director and ‘My Secret Sky’ from South Africa, directed by Madoda Ncayiyana, the Silver Crow Pheasant Award for the best debut director.

‘True Noon’ was also voted the best film of the festival by the delegates who viewed the competition entries.

The other awards were won by: ‘A Fly in Ashes’ by Argentinean filmmaker Gabriela David (FIPRESCI Award, or the International Federation of Film Critics’ Award, for the best film), ‘Train in the Tenth Floor’ directed by Joshy Mathew (FIPRESCI Award for the best Malayalam film), ‘Fishing Platform’ directed by Ravi Bharwani (NETPAC Award for the best Asian film in the competition section), ‘Kerala Café’ produced by Ranjith (NETPAC Award for the best Malayalam film) and ‘Harishchandra’s Factory’ directed by Paresh Mokashi (Hassankutty Award for the best Indian debut director).

The eight-day festival, which witnessed enthusiastic mass participation, came to an end with a colourful closing ceremony on Friday evening. The awards were given away by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.

The Golden Crow Pheasant Award carries a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh. The award for the best director carries a cash prize of Rs.3 lakh and that for the best debut director Rs.2 lakh. ‘About Elly,’ which shared the top recognition at the festival, narrates how a family finds its peace shattered after the disappearance of a woman guest.

The film was acclaimed by the jury for its technical and aesthetic perfection. The Indonesian film ‘Fishing Platform’ is the story of a 12-year-old boy, who, after his mother’s death, goes in search of his father who does not want to own him up for fear of having to reveal a dark past and goes on to learn the skills of survival.

‘True Noon’ portrays the changing life and conflicts in two villages when a new fence erected by the State separates them. ‘A Fly in Ashes’ revolves around the agony of two women trapped by sex mafia.

(News agency)