"As Far as I Can Walk" by Stefan Arsinijević from Serbia has won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury in Karlovy Vary 2021. The film also won the Crystal Globe for Best Film by the International Festival Jury, as well as an Honorable Mention for Cinematography by Jelena Stanković and the Europe Cinema Label Award. The Ecumenical Jury's Special Mention went to "The Staffroom" by Sonja Tarokić from Croatia, which also received a Special Mention from the International Jury. The International Film Critics Award (Fipresci) went to "Exam" (Ezmûn) by Shawqat Armin Korki, a co-production from Germany, Iraqi Kurdistan and Qatar.
On 20 August 2021, the 55th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival was opened with a concert performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar", commemorating the musical's premiere in Prague 50 years ago. In the International Competition, 12 films competed for the Crystal Globe and the prizes of the independent juries such as the Ecumenical Jury. The second competition section "East of the West" is dedicated to the films of Eastern Europe. Important works of film history were shown in the section "Tribute to the Film Foundation", which refers in its title to the project founded by Martin Scorsese to restore the global film heritage.
Awards
How far will a man go to fight for his love?
How much can a woman endure without her right to self-realization?
As Far as I Can Walk tells a great and humanistic love story, balanced between accurate documentary images and timeless poetry. A film taking on the harsh experiences of migration, and with an epic dimension which eventually turns into a Passion story.
The Staffroom follows newly appointed counsellor Annamarija as she intensely fights for the greater good from within a schooling institution, navigating through its politics while keeping her integrity and caring for others.
First-time feature director Sonja Tarokić shows an extraordinary palette of cinematic craftsmanship through choral and focal plays, and most importantly a genuine benevolent writing of characters. An energetic, universal and encouraging tribute to all schooling staffs around the world.
