Zalava by Arsalan Amiri tops International Film Critics’ Week in Venice

09/10/2021 – VENICE 2021: Minor distinctions were awarded to European (co) productions, in particular Erase Frank, They carry death and Detours

It’s over for Venice 2021 International Film Critics’ Week, an independent and parallel section organized by the National Union of Italian Film Critics (SNCCI) as an integral part of the Venice International Film Festival. This year’s edition saw the triumph of Arsalan Amirithe first feature film of Zalava, an Iranian film set in the titular small village in 1978, in which the villagers claim that a demon is among them. The film received the Grand Prize of the International Film Critics’ Week as well as the FIPRESCI Prize dedicated to the section.

In their attached statement, the jurors Claudio cupellini, Vanja Kaludjercic and Sandrine Marqués praised the director’s “new talent” as well as his “playful cinematic language” and his clear call against “superstition and ignorance”.

Several minor distinctions were awarded to other European productions and co-productions. In detail, the Verona film Club Award was presented to Gàbor Fabriciusodyssey of “political psychiatry” Erase Frank [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gábor Fabricius
film profile], the prize for the best technical contribution to Helene Giron and Samuel M. DelgadoHispano-Colombian co-production of They carry death [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Samuel M Delgado and Helena…
film profile] and the brand new Special Prize for Women Filmmakers Under 40 (created in honor of the late documentary filmmaker Valentina Pedicini) for Ekaterina Selenkina‘s Detours [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]. Finally, Gianluca Matarrese‘s The last chapter [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gianluca Matarrese
film profile] won the Queer Lion Award.

Here is the list of rewards:

Grand Prize of the International Film Critics’ Week
Zalava – Arsalan Amiri (Iran)

Verona Film Club Award
Erase Frank [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gábor Fabricius
film profile] – Gàbor Fabricius (Hungary)

Mario Serandrei – Hotel Saturnia Award for best technical contribution
They carry death [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Samuel M Delgado and Helena…
film profile] – Helena Girón and Samuel M. Delgado (Spain / Colombia)

Short films

Best Short Film Award
Inchei – Federico Demattè (Italy)

Best Director Award
Federico Demattè – Inchei

Best technical contribution award
Incanto – Chiara Caterina (Italy)

(For more information on parallel prices, click here.)