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Ukraine War Drama Wins Top Cannes Film Award
15 May
Summary
- Honeymoon, a Ukrainian film about newlyweds trapped in war, won a major Cannes award.
- The award includes a $46,539 grant for the filmmaker's next project.
- The prize supports debut features and aims to help filmmakers finance their second film.
Zhanna Ozirna's "Honeymoon," a claustrophobic marital drama set against the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war, has secured the inaugural Build Your Dream award at a Cannes Film Festival event. The intimate thriller follows a Kyiv couple isolated in their apartment, a scenario inspired by testimonies from the conflict's early days.
The award, a collaboration between Mediawan and BYD, includes a $46,539 grant for Ozirna's next feature. This prize specifically targets debut films released in French theaters, with a mission to champion emerging cinematic voices and address the challenge of financing a second film for promising directors.
Ozirna is currently developing two follow-up projects: "Ground Zero," a historical drama on communism in Ukraine, and "Intimacy," which focuses on disabled veterans navigating their recovery. She expressed gratitude, emphasizing cinema's role in preserving memory and human experience during difficult times for independent Ukrainian cinema.
The jury, chaired by Chen Kaige, comprised Mélanie Laurent, Hafsia Herzi, and Yann Demange, among others. They selected "Honeymoon" from 10 films, with topicality and emotional impact being key considerations. The award aims to provide crucial support for filmmakers who successfully complete their first feature but struggle to secure funding for their next.
