Panaji: Lithuanian film, ‘Toxic’, bagged the ‘Golden Peacock Award’ for the Best Feature Film at the 55th International Film Festival of India (55th IFFI) 2024, here today. Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin’s Crossing won the ‘ICFT – UNESCO Gandhi Medal’, while Navjyot Bandiwadekar won the ‘Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film’ for his Marathi Film ‘Gharat Ganpati’. Marathi Web Series ‘Lampan’ received the Best Web Series (OTT) Award. Directed by Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari and based on stories written by Prakash Narayan Sant, ‘Lampan‘ is the tale of a dreamy child with unbounded curiosity.
For their “extraordinary” performances in ‘Toxic’, the ‘Best Actor (Female) ‘award was jointly given to debutants Vesta Matulytė and Ieva Rupeikaitė who pushed themselves to their physical and emotional limits in creating the unforgettable characters of Marija and Kristina in the film.
An aptly titled coming-of-age tale set amidst contaminated physical and social landscapes, ‘Toxic’ has, at its centre, an exploration of the human body in all its frailty and glory. The film tells the story of thirteen-year-old Marija who faces trouble fitting into the industrial town where she lives with her grandmother. She begins to form a tentative and volatile bond with her rebellious peer, Kristina, and the two enrol in a local modelling school that promises its pupils the chance of a glamorous life far away from their bleak and isolated existence. However, the financial and physical demands of the school force them to come up with increasingly extreme and dangerous ways to conform their young bodies to impossible standards of beauty.
‘Toxic’ emerged as the best film, “for exploring adolescence and the harsh realities of growing up in an economically deprived society, with so much sensitivity and empathy and at the same time creating a coming-of-age narrative against a backdrop of the physical and social landscape,” the Jury cited.
The director of the film Saulė Bliuvaitė will share the Golden Peacock Trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 40,00,000, with the producer, Giedre Burokaite.
Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin’s Crossing tells the story of an elderly woman who embarks on a journey with a young man from Georgia to Istanbul to find her niece, who disappeared many years ago. In fulfilling a promise, the woman, played by the exceptionally talented Mzia Arabuli, uncovers unexpected links to gender issues and equality. The film beautifully weaves a narrative about love, understanding, and the connections that transcend generations, offering a poignant commentary on social and cultural themes.
The Jury praised debutant director Navjyot Bandiwadekar for his ability to create a touching narrative that bridges tradition and modern sensibilities, showcasing his talent as a director. “Bandiwadekar has expertly captured the complexities of familial bonds. His direction highlights the subtleties of family life while maintaining a deep emotional resonance, making the film a standout debut,” the Jury appreciated.
“Gharat Ganpati explores inter-personal dynamics between all family members through various fun-filled as well as chaotic situations,” Navjyot Bandiwadekar, said.
– global bihari bureau
