“Like Crazy” sweeps major prizes at Spain’s Valladolid Festival

PanARMENIAN.Net - Paolo Virzi’s Cannes Directors’ hit “Like Crazy” and “Don’t Call Me Son,” Brazilian Anna Muylaert’s lauded follow-up to “The Second Mother,” swept many major prizes at the 61st Valladolid Film Festival which wrapped Saturday October 29 night with double plaudits for Argentine Oscar entry “The Illustrious Citizen”, Variety reports.

The story of two vastly different women who share time in an Italian mental health facility and find unlikely friendship, “Like Crazy” received an upbeat Cannes critical reception. “Neither Valeria Bruni Tedeschi nor Micaela Ramazzotti have been better,” Variety said in a review. This opinion was reiterated at Valladolid when the duo shared kudos for best actress, adding to the film’s Audience Award and best feature Golden Spike, the top award of the festival. “Like Crazy” has sold healthily for Bac Films. Sold by Loco Films, “Don’t Call Me Son” matched that top tally with three awards of its own; Best actor, director and a Rainbow Spike. Already a Berlin Festival hit, “Son” follows a teenager’s struggling with gender identity when, suddenly, his life is turned upside-down after he learns of his true parentage.

Egypt’s Oscar submission, Mohamed Diab’s “Clash,” following a successful run at Cannes, was the final film to collect three awards at this year’s fest: New director, the Sociograph Award, chosen by the public, and director of photography. On Pyramide Films sales slate, “Clash” takes place exclusively inside a police van during a riot after the Egyptian military toppled the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013. Variety’s take: “This is bravura filmmaking with a kick-in-the-gut message about chaos and cruelty.”

A Venice best actor winner for Oscar Martinez and domestic B.O. hit for Disney in Argentina, the Latido Films-sold “The Illustrious Citizen” is shaping up as one of Latin America’s most promising movies of international impact this year. The Argentine Oscar candidate follows a Europe-based author in his journey back to his hometown in rural Argentina where he encounters all matter of praise and detraction. Its Valladolid Silver Spike- fest’s effective runner’s-up trophy – and a best screenplay award will do no damage to the film’s ambitions going forward.