Polish script wins screenwriters' prize at Cannes

Cannes: Photo: EPA: Ian Langsdon

Penned by Oscar-nominated director Bartek Konopka (Rabbit a la Berlin) and Przemyslaw Nowakowski, The Mute (Niemy) is set in the early Middle Ages, and explores the conflict between two men as they struggle to convert a remote Pagan community.

The award was presented on the Plage des Palmes on Wednesday by the Polish-based creator of the prize, the Independent Film Foundation (IFF), which has cooperated with festivals including Sundance and Cannes for some years.

The IFF's advisory board praised The Mute's “strikingly original screenplay that confronts themes of spirituality, loyalty, and family dynamics in an ancient setting, while relating an exotic and thought-provoking personal conflict set against the clash between early Christianity and paganism.

“The jury are confident that the strong dramatic potential of this engrossing screenplay will result in an excellent quality film with international audience.”

Eleven other scripts were in the running this year, including works by Bulgarian, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Romanian, Serbian and Slovakian writers.

The winners were presented with a statuette, as well as a cheque for 10,000 euros to help further develop the project.

The official Cannes competition awards will not be handed out until Sunday. On Saturday, Roman Polanski's new film Venus in Fur, which is competing for the Palme d'Or, will receive its world premiere. (nh)

Source: IAR