ASTRA FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS 2022
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
BEST DOCUMENTARY
THE PAWNSHOP,
directed by Łukasz Kowalski
Łukasz Kowalski • Poland • 2022
For presenting in an interesting and humorous way the endeavors of the owner and employees of an improbable pawnshop business in search to strike a blow, in a disenfranchised community where the only valuables are personal histories of despair. Through its intelligent directing, attention and understanding of characters, „The Pawnshop” turns the story into a topic of global relevance about life and aspirations in between failure, survival and the promised capitalist success.
HONORABLE MENTION
Alexandra Gulea • Germany, Romania • 2022
For a daring cinematic exploration and the exquisite visual approach, the special mention goes to undeniably interesting work “Flying Sheep”
DOCSCHOOL
BEST DIRECTOR
FAMILY LOVE - MY GRANDPA, NATIONAL SOCIALISM AND ME, directed by Eric Esser
Eric Esser • Germany • 2022
For an essay film that bravely explores an uncomfortable personal history and the path to uncovering it with both vulnerability and sincerity, as well as with great intellectual and narrative skill, the award for best director of the Astra DocSchool competition goes to "Family Love", by Eric Esser.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
A PLACE IN THIS WORLD,
directed by Emilie Beyssac Cywinska
Emilie Beyssac Cywinska • France • 2021
Our main prize goes to a tender, warm family portrait that unfolds with incredible ease, naturalness, and affection, subtly revealing the larger historical forces that are at play within the smaller scale of day-to-day life. The award for best film of the Astra DocSchool competition goes to "A Place in This World", by Emilie Beyssac Cywinska.
HONORABLE MENTION
ARSENCIK'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, directed by Valentin-Rareș Fogoroș
Valentin-Rareș Fogoroș • Romania
We would like to acknowledge a timely, courageous film that puts the "document" in "documentary" - a testimony of a tumultuous historic moment, painted both with urgency and immanence, as well as great empathy, care, and involvement. The jury's special mention goes to Arsencik's First Birthday, by Valentin-Rareș Fogoroș.
ROMANIA
BEST DOCUMENTARY
THE CHALICE. ABOUT SONS AND DAUGHTERS,
Cătălina Tesăr and Dana Bunescu
Dana Bunescu, Cătălina Tesar • Romania • 2022
- For its stylistic virtuosity, the scope of its research, and the depth of its anthropological effort
BEST DIRECTION
EAGLES FROM ȚAGA,
directed by Adina Popescu and Iulian Ghervas
Iulian Manuel Ghervas, Adina Popescu • Romania, Slovak Republic • 2022
- For its stylistic rigor and the memorability of its protagonist
HONORABLE MENTION
WAVES ON DRY SOIL, directed by Raluca David
Raluca David • Romania • 2021
- For its artistic ability to create complex situations and emotions with simple means
NEW VOICES IN DOCUMENTARY CINEMA
BEST DOCUMENTARY
TOO CLOSE,
directed by Botond Püsök
Botond Püsök • Romania • 2022
The selection of films in the New Voices Competition showed us directors trying with great honesty and compassion to picture the gap between human expectations and what we all end up getting.