Nise-The Heart of Madness, Brazilian director Toberto Berliner’s biopicture about a crusading woman doctor in a Rio psychiatric hospital, was awarded the grand prize at the Tokyo Film Fest.
Awards were handed out at the closing ceremony of the 28th Tokyo Film Fest, which ran from October 22 to October 31.
Berliner said that his heroine, Dr. Nise da Silveira, was not well known at the time he made the film. He felt that “it was my responsibility to show her story to the world.”
Gloria Pires received the best actress prize for her performance in the title role.
The film, which had its international premiere in Tokyo, first screened at the Rio de Janeiro Film Fest, earlier in October.
Taking the special jury prize was director Kheiron’s drama “All Three of Us” about a young anti-government activist in Iran.
Best actor honors went to Roland Moller and Louis Hoffman for their turns in the Danish post-WWII drama “Land of Mine.”
The award for best artistic contribution was given to Olmo Omerzu’s “Family Film” and the audience award to Edoardo Falcone’s “God Willing.”
In the Japanese cinema section for independent Japanese films, the winner was Hiroshi Shoji’s drug drama “Ken and Kazu.”
In the Asian Future section for films by up-and-coming Asian directors, the best Asian future award went to Pimpaka Towira’s woman-on-a-journey drama “The Island Funeral.”
