‘La Leon’ by Santiago Otheguy wins ‘Best Feature Film’ at 23rd Torino GLBT Film Festival!

Filed Under Gay Awards, Gay Events, Gay Film | April 28th, 2008 

The 23rd Torino Glbt Film Festival “From Sodoma to Hollywood” ended successfully on the 25th of April: more than 270 films on schedule during the 9 day Festival attracted a very big audience, with a 15% increase in comparison with the 2007 edition.

Torino GLBT Film Festival Award to LA LEON Santiago Otheduy (director L) Jorge Román (actor R) -- (Photo Courtesy of the Torino GLBT Film Festival)An audience of 35,000 people, along with more than 200 guests, including directors, actors, producers and distributors from all over the world to present their films and answer the audience’s questions. More than 200 representatives of both national and international press, and more than 500 professional and cultural operators took part in this festival.

The Feature films jury composed by Italian journalist Pier Maria Bocchi, Italian writer Melania Mazzucco, Portuguese director Joao Pedro Rodrigues and American producer Andrea Sperling has awarded Argentinean film “La Leon” by Santiago Otheguy as Best Feature Film with the “Ottavio Mai Award” (5000 euros) at the 23 Torino GLBT Film Festival.

The jury has awarded “La Leon” for its visual impact, its concise story-telling and its skilful depiction of uncontaminated nature.

Scene from 'La Leon' by Santiago Otheguy (Photo courtesy of Torino GLBT Film Festival)About La León:

Alvaro’s world is one of rivers and streams. On a remote island off the Argentinean coast he ekes out a humble existence. Out there, it is as if time has stood still. Alvaro’s homosexuality makes him just as much of an outsider as does his love of books. The only link between the island and the city on the mainland is skipper El Turu’s little boat, “El León”, which carries islanders back and forth once a day. A rough and sometimes violent man, El Turu is convinced that Alvaro poses a threat to the remote island community and its prevailing values and virtues.

Biofilmography:

Santiago Otheguy (b. 1973, Argentina). Otheguy studied music in Paris from 1992 to 1995 and history of art at the Sorbonne. This was followed by a film course at the Sorbonne from 1995 to 1999. He has made commercials, short films including Retiro (2001) and Direct (2003) and several documentaries, among others, 22 de Enero (2000) and Constitución (2001). La León is his first feature-length film.

The Jury also gave Special Jury Awards to the German movie “Was Am Ende Zaehlt” by Julia von Heinz (for its modern and sensitive depiction of two young girls desire to create unique family) and French movie “Les Chansons d’Amour” by Christophe Honoré (because it offers a different way of seeing life, overcoming gender boundaries).

Source: Torino GLBT Film Festival

Editor’s Note: More award news from the Torino GLBT Film Festival just as soon as I’m able to sort through all the material.

Related Post: 23rd Torino GLBT Film Festival Awards List