BERLIN ’08 | "Tropa de Elite" Wins Golden Bear in Berlin; Silver Bears for Errol Morris (Grand Jury Prize) and P.T. Anderson (Best Director)
Indiewire
February 16, 2008
by Eugene Hernandez
Jose Padilha’s "Tropa de Elite" (The Elite Squad) won the the Golden
Bear at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival tonight in the
German capital city, while Errol Morris’ "Standard Operating
Procedure" won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, in second place. Paul
Thomas Anderson won the Silver Bear award for best director for "There
Will Be Blood" and Wang Ziaoshuai won the Silver Bear for best
screenplay for "In Love We Trust."
Among other winners, Sally Hawkins won the award for best actress for
Mike Leigh’s "Happy-Go-Lucky" and Reja Nazi was honored as best actor
for Majid Majidi’s "Song of Sparrows". The Alfred Bauer Prize for an
innovative film went to "Lake Tahoe," directed by Fernando Eimbcke.
Jurors at the 2008 Berlinale included jury president Costa-Gavras,
along with production designer Uli Hanisch, actress Diane Kruger,
editor Walter Murch, producer Alexander Rodnyansky, and actress Shu
Qi.
"Its just such an honor," gushed Sally Hawkins, accepting her award on
stage. "My legs are gone…on the edge of tears." Thanking director
Mike Leigh, she added, "To be part of this extra beautiful and very
special film is such an honor…very happy, very lucky lady." More
from the Berlinale awards ceremony (left to right): best actress
winner Sally Hawkins, festival director Dieter Kosslick, and best
screenplay winner Wang Ziaoshuai. Framegrabs via Berlinale webcast
Meanwhile, accepting his award, Paul Thomas Anderson singled out
Berlinale festival director Dieter Kosslick, who he praised, "runs the
film festival as if he’s having a party in his living room.
In a statement of his own, capping the 2008 Berlinale, Kosslick said,
"It was a Berlinale of music, grand emotions, and great artists. The
groove was good, and Berlin this year was not cold but cool."
The complete list of jury prize winners follows, including a list of
other award winners:
Golden Bear: "Tropa de Elite," directed by Jose Padilha
Silver Bear – The Jury Grand Prix: "Standard Operating Procedure,"
directed by Errol Morris
Silver Bear – Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be
Blood"
Silver Bear – Best Actress:: Sally Hawkins in "Happy-Go-Lucky"
Silver Bear – Best Actor: Reja Nazi for "Song of Sparrows"
Silver Bear – Best Screenplay: Wang Ziaoshuai for "In Love We Trust"
(Zuo You)
Silver Bear – Artistic Contribution: Jonny Greenwood for the score
from "There Will Be Blood"
Best First Feature Award: "Asyl — Park and Love Hotel," directed by
Kumasaka Izuru
Alfred Bauer Prize: "Lake Tahoe," directed by Fernando Eimbcke
Other awards at the 2008 Berlinale:
FIPRESCI Prizes
Competition: "Lake Tahoe," directed by Fernando Eimbcke
Panorama: "Rusalka" (Mermaid), directed by Anna Melikian
Forum: "Shahida – Brides of Allah" (Brides of Allah), directed by
Natalie Assouline
Manfred Salzberger Prize: "Megane" (Glasses), directed by Naoko
Ogigami
Panorama Audience Award: "Lemon Tree," directed by Eran Riklis
Teddy Awards
Feature: "The Amazing Truth about Queen Raquela," by Olaf de Fleur
Documentary: "Football Under Cover," by David Assmann and Ayat Najafi
Jury mention: "Be Like Others," by Tanaz Eshaghian
Short film: "Ta," by Felipe Sholl
The Teddy Ballot Volkswagen Audience Award: "Football Under Cover,"
directed by David Assmann and Ayat Najafi
Siegessaule Reader’s Jury Award: "Be Like Others" by Tanaz Eshagian
Berliner Morgenpost Readers’ Prize: "I’ve Loved You So Long…" (Il y
a longtemps que je t’aime…)," directed by Philippe Claudel
The "Tagesspiegel" Readers’ Jury: "God Man Dog" by Singing Chen