Turkish film ‘Swaying Waterlily’ wins in Montreal

MONTREAL

Turkish director Seren Yüce’s film “Rüzgarda Salınan Nilüfer” (Swaying Waterlily) has won the Best Script Award at the 40th Montreal Film Festival, which ended on Sept. 5. 

The Best Film Award went to the Croatia, Macedonia, Czech Republic and Slovenia co-production “The Constitution,” directed by Rajko Grlic. 

Kurdish director Soleen Youseef’s “House Without Roof,” which competed in the name of Germany, won the Jury Special Prize, the second big award of the festival. 

 The best Director Award went to Nic Balthazar for his “Everybody Happy,” the Best Actress Award went to Hannah Hoekstra for her role in “The Fury,” and the Best Actor Award went to Williem Dafoe for his role in “My Hindu Friend” at the festival. 

Turkey was the guest country of the festival and Yüce’s film was one of 11 competition films in the festival. “Swaying Waterlily” stars Tolga Tekin, Songül Öden and Sezin Bozacı. 

The world premieres of Turkish films “Toz” (Dust) and “Yemekteydik ve Karar Verdim” (We Were Dining and I Made a Decision) were held at the festival. 

In the “Turkish Film Focus” section of the festival, films by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Emre Konuk, Bedir Afşin and Ömer Lütfi Akad were all screened. 

Jury member found dead

Meanwhile, the festival was scarred by news that the British film producer Donald Ranvaud, who was serving as a jury member at festival, died suddenly of a heart attack in his hotel room on Sept. 4. He was 62.

Ranvaud was known for producing the film “City of God,” directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund, which was nominated for an Oscar and won an award at the BAFTAs, the British film awards. He also produced “The Constant Gardener,” another film by Meirelles. 

Organizers of the festival held a minute of silence at the closing ceremony, while the celebrations with the winners and finalists were cancelled following the tragic news.