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Palestinian Filmmaker Scandar Copti’s Israel-Set Family Drama ‘Happy Holidays’ Wins Thessaloniki Film Festival
Palestinian filmmaker Scandar Copti’s Israel-set family drama 'Happy Holidays' won the Golden Alexander at the Thessaloniki Film Festival.
In the festival’s Meet the Neighbors+ competition section, which includes debut or sophomore films from the 36 countries of Southeastern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the Golden Alexander for best feature went to “Vittoria,” by directors Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffman. The jury praised the film — a portrait of a happily married mother of three in Naples who’s suddenly tormented by an intense longing for a daughter — as “a surprising, moving, innovative approach to the very sensitive subject of adoption that, catching us completely off guard, brought the audience, and us, to tears.” The section’s Silver Alexander for best director went to “ Thank You for Banking With Us ” filmmaker Laila Abbas, who according to the jury “manages to narrate a female-driven story of everyday life within the constraints of the patriarchy and political situation of Palestine with an intriguing tone and unexpected elements of humor that skillfully play with audience expectations.”
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