BERLIN 鈥� Judges at the Berlin Film Festival announced Friday that the satirical movie 鈥楤ad Luck Banging or Loony Porn鈥� by Romanian director Radu Jude has been awarded this year鈥檚 top prize, saying it has the 鈥渞are and essential quality of a lasting art work.鈥�
The film about a teacher facing scrutiny over a sex tape 鈥渃aptures on screen the very content and essence, the mind and body, the values and the raw flesh of our present moment in time,鈥� the Berlinale jury said as it awarded the film its Golden Bear.
The Silver Bear for best leading performance went to German actress Maren Eggert who plays a scientist exploring life and longing with a handsome humanoid robot in 鈥業鈥檓 Your Man.鈥�
鈥淗er presence made us curious. Her charm made us empathic. And her palette of performing qualities allowed us to feel, laugh and ask questions," the jury said in a statement.
It is the first time that the Berlin Film Festival has awarded a single award for best acting regardless of gender.
Denes Nagy of Hungary received the award for best director for his debut 鈥楴atural Light,鈥� following a Hungarian unit hunting partisans in the Soviet Union during World War II.
The jury said Nagy showed 鈥渕asterful control of every aspect of the craft of filmmaking, a narration that transcends its historical context.鈥�
鈥淎 portrait of war in which the observant gaze of the director reminds us again of the need to choose between passivity and taking individual responsibility,鈥� the judges said.
The festival was staged online this year due to the pandemic, but a public event and a physical awards ceremony are planned for June.
The Associated Press
