CANNES, France—French-Armenian filmmaker Serge Avedikian has won the Best Short Film prize at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival this week.
Avedikian’s film, “Chiennes D’Historie” (English title, “Barking Island”), won much acclaim for its poignant symbolism and story line.
The official synopsis reads: “Constantinople 1910. The streets are overrun with stray dogs. The newly established government, influenced by a model of western society, uses European experts to choose a method of eradication before deciding, suddenly and alone, to massively deport the dogs to a deserted island away from the city.”
The awards, chosen by a jury headed by U.S. director Tim Burton, were presented on May 23. They are listed below.
Palme d’Or (Golden Palm): “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” by Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand)
Grand Prize: “Of Gods and Men” by Xavier Beauvois (France)
Jury Prize: “A Screaming Man” by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad)
Best Director: Mathieu Amalric for “On Tour” (France)
Best Actor: Javier Bardem in “Biutiful” (Mexico) and Elio Germano in “La Nostra Vita” (Italy)
Best Actress: Juliette Binoche, “Certified Copy” (Iran)
Best Screenplay: Lee Chang-Dong, “Poetry” (Korea)
Camera d’Or (first-time director): “Ano Bisiesto” by Michael Rowe (Mexico)
Best Short Film: “Chienne d’Histoire” by Serge Avedikian (France)
Films like these from artists such as Avedikian are the most poignant ways of delivering our message to the world. The fact that it won best short film makes elevates that message to heights no Turkish public relations firm could ever afford to do. Art DOES reach the masses!