Cinema: ‘Copilot’, a love story blossomed during 9/11, wins the competition at the Lucca Film Festival e Europa Cinema 2021
The film, directed by Anne Zohra Berrached, is based on the romantic relationship between Aysel Sengün and Ziad Jarrah, the pilot of the United 93 plane that crashed in Pennsylvania on 11th September 2001
The ‘Marcello Petrozziello’ Award was awarded to ‘Luzzu’ of the feature film section and to ‘Monachopsis’ of the short film section
Copilot’, directed by Anne Zohra Berrached, narrates the romantic relationship based on a true story between Aysel Sengün and Ziad Jarrah, the pilot of the United 93 plane that crashed in Pennsylvania on 11th September 2001. It has been given the title of best film in competition at the Lucca Film Festival e Europa Cinema 2021 edition. The prize (3,000 euros) was awarded (during the awards ceremony on 9th October at Cinema Astra) by the jury composed of several members of the Academy Award, including Massimo Cantini Parrini (costume designer); Francesca Calvelli (editor) and Vittorio Sodano (makeup artist).
The film tells an intimate love story, begun in Germany in the 1990s, between science student Asli and the charismatic Saeed. Their future seems bright, but at the dawn of the 21st century, Saeed makes a decision that will not only shatter Asli’s dreams, but will shake the entire world, especially when she discovers that her husband was one of the terrorists involved in the 11th September 2001 attack.
“We have decided to award this film – so read the jury’s motivations – for the sensitivity with which the director has managed to deal with a theme so difficult to humanize, for the magnificent characterization of the two protagonists and for the extreme care taken in every aspect of this work”. The jury also awarded the special mention in the feature film section to ‘Magnetic Beats’ by Vincent Maël Cardona.
The jury composed by Francesco Lorusso (director), Gabriele Licchelli (director), and Andrea Settembrini (director and screenwriter) awarded the Best Short Film prize (500 euros) to the animated film ‘Monachopsis’ by Liesbet Van Loon with the following motivation: “The synthesis that this short film manages to achieve between the two fundamental parts of the discourse, form and content – what it wants to say and the way it wants to say it – appears extremely natural. This naturalness is the sign of a film’s success, which is not easily attainable. The animation on the footage contributes to the creation of that feeling of estrangement, of being constantly out of place. The damaged film reel, the noise and the grain are not only signs of a fetish for vintage, but they contribute to the creation of content and sense in a creative and engaging way”.
The jury for the ‘Marcello Petrozziello’ award – dedicated to the well-known journalist and coordinator of the Press Office and External Relations of Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca who recently passed away – awarded the film ‘Luzzu’ by Alex Camilleri in the feature film section and the film ‘Monachopsis’ by Liesbet Van Loon in the short film section.
The Popular Jury awarded the prizes for Best Film of the Feature Film Competition to ‘Copilot’ by Anne Zohra Berrached and to ‘Smoky Mountain’ by Albert Oriol of the Short Film Competition.
‘Copilot’ by Anne Zohra Berrached and ‘Monachopsis’ by Liesbet Van Loon also won the Best Feature Film and Best Short Film awards given by the Student Jury.
PALMARES
Best Film of the Feature Film Competition LFFEC Award (3,000 euros)
‘Copilot’ (Die Welt wird eine andere sein) by Anne Zohra Berrached
Germany, France 2021
When sly science student Asli meets the charismatic Saeed in the mid-1990s, it is love at first sight. They marry and Asli vows to be faithful to Saeed and to never betray his secrets: their future looks bright, but at the dawn of the 21st century, Saeed makes a decision that will not only shatter Asli’s dreams but shake the entire world to its core.
International Short Film LFFEC Award (500 euros)
‘Monachopsis’ by Liesbet Van Loon
Belgium, 2021
A young woman struggles with the feeling of being disconnected from the people around her, until she meets Sofie with whom she establishes a (way too) strong bond.
Special mention
‘Magnetic Beats’ (Les Magnétiques) by Vincent Maël Cardona
France, Germany, 2021
Brittany, 1980s. A group of friends, eager for excitement, broadcast a free radio station from their hometown in the countryside. Jerome leads it with unique charisma while Philippe, the technical genius, lives in the shadow of Jerome, his older brother. When Philippe is called up for military service, he has no choice but to leave for West Berlin. He is determined to continue broadcasting but realises that he has just lived through the last glorious moments of a dying world.
Feature Film Award by the Popular Jury
‘Copilot’ (Die Welt wird eine andere sein) by Anne Zohra Berrached
Germany, France 2021
Short Film Award by the Popular Jury
‘Smoky Mountain’ by Albert Oriol
France, 2019
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, present day. Sony, a ten-year-old Cambodian child is chased from his home by his father. Left on his own, he is taken in by an organization, allowing him to go to school and discover a new lifestyle. Sony quickly adapts to the new situation until the school trip day, when he makes an unexpected discovery.
‘Marcello Petrozziello’ Feature Film Award by the Press Jury
‘Luzzu’ by Alex Camilleri
Malta, 2021
Jesmark, a Maltese fisherman, struggles with a new loss in his wooden boat ‘LUZZU’. Barely getting by, he sees his livelihood – and a family tradition of generations before him – threatened by diminishing harvests, a ruthless fishing industry and a stagnant ecosystem. Desperate to provide for his wife and newborn son, whose growth impediment requires treatment, Jesmark gradually slips into an illegal black market fishing operation.
‘Marcello Petrozziello’ Short Film Award by the Press Jury
‘Monachopsis’ by Liesbet Van Loon
Belgium, 2021
Best Feature Film Award by the Student Jury
‘Copilot’ (Die Welt wird eine andere sein) by Anne Zohra Berrached
Germany, France 2021
Best Short Film Award by the Student Jury
‘Monachopsis’ by Liesbet Van Loon
Belgium, 2021
