Filming in times of conflict
The Cottbus Discovery Award has been given to the Georgian director Zaza Rusadze. The prize of 4000 Euros was awarded during the 19th FilmFestival Cottbus on the occasion of the Ecumenical reception.
“With this award the Jury honours one of the most talented film makers in Georgia” declared festival director Roland Rust. Born in Tblissi in 1977, Zaza Rusadze studied at the Film School in Potsdam Babelsberg and returned to his home country after his studies. “Rusadze represents like no one else the hope for a revitalization of the once flourishing cinema in this region” continued Rust.
Rusadze has a long-standing connection with the Festival and was a member of this year’s jury of the amateur film competition 7th Cottbuser FilmSchau. His latest film FOLDS AND CRACKS | NAKETSEBI DA BZAREBI is shown as an international premiere as part of the FOKUS section. The short film talks about the unfulfilled longing for peace in the war-ridden region.
“When we shot the film in August 2008 we didn’t think it would be shown in front of such a big audience one day” said Rusadze visibly moved. He has seen the film for the first time on the big screen in Cottbus. “The film was made out of desperation. We had had enough of the war coverage in our country; we wanted to do something which was not dealing with war but with our profession.”
The Cottbus Discovery Award was presented by Andreas Wieser, one of the directors of the Austrian post production company Synchro Film. The award honours a director which is considered as a promising newcomer in Eastern European cinema.
Here are some pictures of the Ecumenical reception.
