Spanish film scoops Grand Jury Award at Œnovidéo 2012

The 19th edition of the French film festival awarded its maximum accolade to ‘Terra d’Oportunitats’

06/18/2012

The festival bestowed awards on films from the UK, the US, Argentina, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, and Switzerland

The jury at the 19^th edition of the international film festival Œnovidéo 2012, held from 31^st May to 3^rd June in the traditional winemaking Swiss town of Aigle and presided over by French actor, Claude Brasseur, awarded the festival’s maximum accolade, the Special Grand Jury ‘Best Film’ Trophy to ‘Terra d’Oportunitats’ (Land of Opportunity) by Spanish director, Roger Roca.

The film, in which the jury highlighted its air of sobriety and quality of cinematography, delicately unfolds a message full of optimism of how a wine co-operative, which supports social integration, presents the possibility of a more hopeful future to a rural village and individuals in difficulties. As a result, the film won the Grand Jury ‘Best Film’ Trophy for its combination of formal aspects with humanitarianism, in relation to the worlds of both film and wine; the requirements stipulated by the competition.

The festival’s marked international flavour should also be highlighted given that 28 films from 9 countries took part. After the screenings and decision making, 12 films were awarded prizes. For example, ‘Best Feature Film’ went to ‘Les Cabotines, Le Vin Féminin’, (Wine, Women and Friends) from British director, Fiona Cunningham-Reid, and ‘Best Short Film’ to ‘Amsterdam’ from French director, Français Philippe Etienne. Both films aim to show how wine brings men and women together despite their differences.

"Grapes and wine are wonderful, human and deep subjects. To encourage the creation of fiction based on grapes and wine, the meeting of two artistic movements that are so similar, with talented oenologists and film directors, will undoubtedly give rise to great films ... given that there are already some great wines. ", stated famous French actor, Claude Brasseur after three days of screenings.

In addition, big names from the French art screen also committed to the festival such as actor-cum-winemaker, Gerard de Pardieu, who plays a viticulturist in the short film ‘Grenouille d’hiver’, which received a ‘special mention’.

The Œnovidéo festival was created 19 years ago with the aim of developing and encouraging the making of films about grapes and wine. It is an incessantly stimulating encounter between the worlds of film and wine.

The official awards ceremony will take place on Friday 30^th September in the Luxembourg Palace, Paris.