Stir in Cannes: Recognition bestowed upon a German female director for the very first time - Stir in Cannes: German Director Secures Initial Win in Prestigious Festival
In a historic first, Mascha Schilinski, a German female filmmaker, received the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The award, given for her film "In die Sonne schauen" (Sound of Falling), was presented during the closing gala on Saturday. The Palme d'Or went to Iranian director Jafar Panahi's "Ein einfacher Unfall" (A Simple Event).
This victory marks a significant milestone in German cinematic history, as Schilinski became the first female director from Germany to be honored at Cannes. Bernd Neumann, president of the Film Funding Agency, hailed her success as "sensational." US actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph handed over the award to Schilinski, the only female director among seven to receive a prize.
Schilinski joked about the challenges of Writing her acceptance speech due to a more than five-hour power outage in Southern France on Saturday. Despite the unexpected hurdle, she expressed surprise and delight over her award, admitting to initial disbelief. "It was somehow a surreal moment, just wonderful," she said.
"In die Sonne schauen" is set in the eastern German Altmark region, where the lives of four women of different generations intersect. Schilinski and co-writer Louise Peter drew inspiration for this multi-generational drama from a historical photo of three women they discovered on an abandoned farm in the Altmark.
The film "In die Sonne schauen" will be released in German cinemas on September 11. Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer praised the powerful storytelling and quiet yet potent force of the film, Electing it as a great success for Schilinski, who has found her unique cinematic language.
The Jury Prize was shared with Spanish director Oliver Laxe, who was honored for "Sirat" (The Island). The Danish-Norwegian film "Sentimental Value" by Joachim Trier was awarded the Grand Prix.
Panahi's "Ein einfacher Unfall" (A Simple Event) won the coveted Palme d'Or. The film centers on five former political prisoners encountering their supposed torturer. The highly political and ironic film was inspired by Panahi's own two imprisonment experiences in Iran.
The Cannes Film Festival saw remarkable German presence this year, with Mascha Schilinski being the first German female director to compete for the Palme d'Or since 2017, since Fatih Akin's "In the Fade." In 2023, Wim Wenders presented the Japan-shot film "Perfect Days."
- The Commission might seek comments from the Member States regarding the impact and significance of Mascha Schilinski's Jury Prize win at the Cannes Film Festival, as it marks a first for a female German filmmaker.
- In contrast to the entertaining world of movies-and-tv, pop-culture, celebrities, and sci-fi-and-fantasy, Mascha Schilinski's "In die Sonne schauen" offers a powerful multi-generational drama based on a historical photo found in the Altmark region.
- As Mascha Schilinski's "In die Sonne schauen" prepares for its cinema release on September 11, culture critics may discuss its profound storytelling and unique cinematic language in comparison to the more lighthearted entertainment often seen in movies-and-tv and pop-culture.
