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Japanese film 'Yoko' takes top prize at Shanghai film festival

By Zhang Rui: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, June 20, 2023

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Japanese film "Yoko" was the biggest winner at the prestigious Golden Goblet Awards held during the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) on Saturday night, taking home three awards including best film.

Cast and crew of "Yoko" receive the best feature film award on stage at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony of the 25th SIFF held in Shanghai, June 18, 2023. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]

Directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, "Yoko" won three awards in the Main Competition category at SIFF: best feature film, best actress and best screenplay. The film follows Yoko, a socially isolated woman who must hitchhike to make it to her estranged father's funeral. Rinko Kikuchi won best actress for her portrayal of Yoko, and Kosuke Muroi was awarded best screenplay for the heartwarming story.

"I feel so honored and excited to receive this award," said Kikuchi. "I grew up watching many Chinese films, and I hope to collaborate with Chinese filmmakers in the future."

Actress Rinko Kikuchi accepts the best actress award on stage at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony of the 25th SIFF held in Shanghai, June 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese filmmaker Liu Jiayin was named best director for "All Ears," while the film's lead Hu Ge won the best actor award. The film follows an ordinary screenwriter who discovers his calling as a eulogy writer while providing comfort to people from all walks of life. The film immediately announced a release date in China for Sept. 9 after its win.

Actor Hu Ge shared the best actor award with his old friend, director and actor Da Peng (also known as Dong Chengpeng), delivering unforgettable performances in the Chinese films "All Ears" and "Dust to Dust," respectively. This shared win for an award was a rare occurrence in the festival's history.

In his acceptance speech, Da Peng said he felt like he was still in a movie, as if in a "long, arduous and happy dream." "This honor is very important to me. I'm not a particularly confident person, and I always put in my all for every film," he said. "I believe that no matter how unknown, ordinary or underestimated you may seem today, one day you will shine."

Actors Da Peng and Hu Ge share the best actor award on stage at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony of the 25th SIFF held in Shanghai, June 18, 2023. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]

Though awarded as an actor, Da Peng will soon demonstrate his directing skills with his highly anticipated youth comedy drama "One and Only," featuring Huang Bo and Wang Yibo. The film premiered at the festival's closing ceremony, showcasing a young man's courageous pursuit of his street dance dream despite facing obstacles. It is set for release in Chinese cinemas on July 28.

China celebrated yet another win as young filmmaker Chen Shizhong's directorial debut, "Good Autumn, Mommy," starring beloved actress Shu Qi, received the outstanding artistic achievement award. The film follows a woman's journey of self-awakening as she searches for her lost daughter in a rural village.

Spanish film "Muyeres" was awarded the jury grand prix, while its cinematographer Toni Vidal won the best photography award at the festival. The best documentary film award was given to Zakaria Jaber's directorial debut "Anxious in Beirut," a co-production between Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and Spain that sheds light on the economy and society of Lebanon.

Hungarian film "Four Souls of Coyote" by Aron Gauder won the best animated feature award.

In the Short Film category, Russian production "The House We Had" directed by Andrey Krechetov took home the best live-action short film award, while Una Lorenzen's "Chasing Birds," a co-production between Iceland and Canada, was named the best animated short.

Lebanese filmmaker Zakaria Jaber celebrates his best documentary film award win for "Anxious in Beirut" on stage at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony of the 25th SIFF held in Shanghai, June 18, 2023. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]

Polish filmmaker Jerzy Skolimowski headed the SIFF jury for the Main Competition category of the Golden Goblet Awards. Other members of the jury included Indian director and actress Nandita Das, Indonesian filmmaker Garin Nugroho, German cinematographer Lutz Reitemeier, Chinese actress Song Jia, and Chinese filmmakers Vivian Qu and Zhang Lyu.

The film festival's Golden Goblet Awards consist of five sections: Main Competition, Asian New Talent, Documentary, Animation, and Short Film. At a separate award ceremony for the Asian New Talent section on June 15, seven works won six major awards. The Uzbek film "Sunday," directed by Shokir Kholikov, won the best film award. Meanwhile, Kazakh director Aisultan Seitov of "Qash" and Chinese director Luo Dong of "May" were jointly named best director.

Cast members and dancers of upcoming street dance movie "One and Only" perform on stage at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony of the 25th SIFF held in Shanghai, June 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 25th SIFF attracted nearly 8,800 entries for the Golden Goblet Awards from 128 countries and regions, featuring new films by renowned directors and many global or international premieres. The main creators behind all 53 shortlisted works, representing 26 countries and regions, gathered in Shanghai to participate in exchanges with Chinese filmmakers and audiences.

The festival also hosted 12 industry forums, an international film panorama screening 450 rare, new and classic films including recent Oscar winner "Everything Everywhere All at Once," and the Belt and Road Film Week showcasing 20 local films from countries along the Belt and Road route. The talent development aspect was also strengthened, with 679 project applications and a shortlist of 33 projects for the Project Pitches, as well as over 100 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions participating in the in-person SIFF Market.