Grand Prize

Kinshasa Symphony

Directors Claus Wischmann, Martin Baer

Germany | 2010 | 95min | 35mm | Color | Documentary

During a performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, a power outage occurs. To the members of the only orchestra in Congo, this is a minor incident. For 15 years, they've had to overcome two rebellions, wars, and various crises. Despite these hardships, their dedication to music and hope for the future keeps them going. The orchestra represents one of the most complex and delicate organizations that can be formed from human effort. 'Kinshasa Symphony' is a report on the perseverance and courage of those trying to preserve an orchestra in one of the most chaotic regions of the world, as well as a story about the people of Kinshasa, Congo, and the power of music.

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  • Claus Wischmann
  • He studied piano and saxophone at the Frankfurt Conservatory and has written and directed over 40 documentaries, including TV programs. His works have been invited to numerous prestigious international film festivals.
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  • Martin Baer
  • Born in Saarbrücken, Germany in 1963, Martin Baer graduated from the Optical and Photographic Technology School in Berlin. Since 1989, he has worked as a cameraman, technical staff, and writer, primarily contributing to documentaries produced by ZDF (German national television) and Arte (Franco-German television).

Special Jury Award

Nostalgia

Director Omuel

Korea | 2009 | 90min | HD | Color | Drama

The title 'Nostalgia' refers to an expression used in Korea that means "That fool, he should have been taken by the ghost." In a small, beautiful village on Jeju Island, ordinary lives unfold. Among the characters are an old man who once dreamed of being an artist but became a "has-been," a grandmother who appears to look down on him but actually cares for him, a singer named Yongpil who returned to his hometown in poor condition after leaving with big dreams, and others who appear slightly lacking but represent the lives we encounter in our daily surroundings.

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  • Omuel
  • Born in Jeju in 1971. He has directed short films such as 'Flowers in the Head' (2003) and 'Lipstick' (2004). His first feature film won Grand Prix and Best Picture awards at the 2009 Huchicho Furuya Hanil Sea Channel Film Festival.