2009 Aubagne International Film Festival Award Winners

From March 16 to 21 the fest will take place in France and its description seems interesting as “dedicates itself to the young cinematographic creation and the music/sound creation related to images”. First and second films of any cinematographic genre having imperatively original music are accepted. Here are the films in competition

Du Bruit dans la Tête (Noise in My Head), Vincent Pluss, Switzerland, 2008
Laura is in her mid thirties and has just returned to Geneva after studying in Québec. Not only is her private life complicated, after separating from her boyfriend. She's also struggling to find her way in her new job. One day she meets 18-year-old Simon. He's trying to get by selling old newspapers. She invites him for a drink, offers him a shower in her apartment and finally lets him stay in her spare room. But who is this boy and why is a man after him?

Ne me libérez pas je m'en charge (Don’t Release Me, I’ll Do it Myself), Fabienne Godet, France, 2008 – documentary
Former gangster and escape artist, Michel Vaujour has always prefered adventure to submission, freedom to law. He has spent 27 years of his life in prison, 17 of which in isolation cell. He has escaped five times (the most spectacular of which was from the Prison de la Santé in Paris, with a helicopter), before he was released on parole in 2003. The story of a life, where reflexion takes the lead over the facts.

Le sens de la vie pour 9.99$ (The Meaning of Life for $9.99), Tatia Rosenthal, Australia and Israel, 2008 – animation (yes this is the one I’m "dying" to see)
Have you ever wondered “What’s the meaning of life? Why do we exist?” The answer to this vexing question is now within your reach! You’ll find it in a small yet amazing booklet, which will explain, in easy-to-follow, simple terms your reason for being! The booklet, printed on the finest paper contains illuminating, exquisite color pictures, and could be yours for a mere $9.99.

Novemberkind (Novemberchild), Christian Schwochow, Germany, 2008
Malchow, GDR, 1980. 20-years-old Anne is hiding Juri, a deserter of the Red Army. The two falls in love with each other, but their love is threatened. They decided to leave the country and flee to the West, leaving Anne’s six-months-old daughter Inga behind. Inga grows up with her grandparents, thinking that her mother died during a swimming accident. At first Inga is resistant, but then she asks for Robert’s help. Together they take off on a journey through Germany, in search of Inga’s mother.

Unspoken, Fien Troch, Belgium and Netherlands, 2008
Five years ago, 14-year-old Lisa vanished from her parents Lucas and Grace's lives, for no apparent reason and leaving no clues. There is almost no hope for her possible return. After all this time, Lucas and Grace have managed to recover a near-normal life. But when Benjamen, Lisa's former friend, pays them a visit, they must willy-nilly face the disappearance of their daughter again. Then, their behaviour becomes stranger and stranger... (with Emmanuelle Devos)

Before the Burial, Behram Behzadi, Iran, 2008
About twenty years ago, Siamak, a medical student, is expelled from university and sent to prison for his political activities. His life is thrown into confusion in every possible way. Having become a bus driver after his release, he deeply regrets what has happened to him and decides to undertake some unfinished business before taking leave of this world on his fortieth birthday.

Ring, Anais Barbeau-Lavalette, Canada, 2007 - Winner of Best Film and Best Music Grand Prix
Jessy, 11, dreams of becoming a wrestler. His life is a daily fight while his family breaks up and he loses what innocence was left in him. Reality hits hard in this underprivileged Montreal neighbourhood, but the magic of the friday night wrestling shows gives him the courage to fight to escape his fate. The Ring tells the story of a little fighter who decides to make his own path.

Tout est Parfait, Yves-Christian Fournier, Canada, 2008
Josh is an ordinart teenager living in an industrial suburb, between high school and skate park. One morning, he finds the lifeless body of his friend Thomas. As three other friends, he has killed himself. Since then, Josh cuts himself off from the world. Only Mia, the former girlfriend of one of the dead boys, as well as Henri, Thomas's father, seem able to pierce his bubble. Some answers will come. Others won't. Josh's story is neither a moral fable, nor a desperate social critique, it is the story of a survivor. The portrait of a gang of young people, excessive, fragile and invincible, lucid and foolhardy, tragic and idealistic. A humble look at their staggering dark side, but also their blinding light.

If you are interested in music/sound in movies this is the fest to go and has the movies to watch. I find this concept very interesting and I’m looking forward to be able to watch some of the above movies and pay attention especially to music/sound.

To check the short films in competition and browse the site please go here. To check all the winners go here.