WINNERS OF THE 2019 BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL

"Synonyms" received the top prize of Golden Bear for Best Film at the close of the 2019 Berlin Film Festival. This controversial drama from co-writer and director Nadav Lapid (best known for the original 2014 version of "The Kindergarten Teacher") tells the story of a young Israeli man (Tom Mercier in his first movie role) who moves to Paris with the hopes of starting a new life. However things do not go well for him but he's determined to stay as he wants to leave behind his nationality and convinced that becoming French would be far better for his life.

Veteran French filmmaker, François Ozon took the runner-up prize of the Silver Bear with his latest, "Grâce à Dieu (By the Grace of God)". This film covers the real-life events about the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal involving Philippe Barbarin, the archbishop of Lyon which the trial has currently just begun. And the stars of Wang Xiaoshuai’s Chinese drama "Di jiu tian chang (So Long, My Son)", Wang Jingchun and Yong Mei won the Silver Bear for Best Actor and Best Actress. The film examines two close childhood friends who drift apart and the wonderful and challenging life experiences they each go through as adults.

Here is the list of winners from the 2019 Berlin Film Festival:

Golden Bear for Best Film: "Synonymes (Synonyms)"



Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize: "Grâce à Dieu (By the Grace of God)"
Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize: "Systemsprenger (System Crasher)"



Silver Bear for Best Director: Angela Shanelec, "Ich War Zuhause, Aber (I Was at Home, But)"
Silver Bear Best Screenplay: Mauricio Barucci, Claudio Giovannesi and Roberto Saviano, "La paranza dei bambini (Piranhas)"
Silver Bear for Best Actress: Yong Mei, "Di jiu tian chang (So Long, My Son)"
Silver Bear for Best Actor: Wang Jingchun, "Di jiu tian chang (So Long, My Son)"
Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution: Rasmus Videbæk, Cinematographer, "Ut og stjæle hester (Out Stealing Horses)"



Glashutte Original Documentary: "Talking About Trees"
GWFF Best First Feature Award: "Oray"
Golden Bear Best Short Film: "Umbra"
Silver Bear Jury Prize Short Film: "Blue Boy"
Audi Short Film Award: "Rise"