The Gold Hugo: ‘Memoria’ at 57th Chicago International Film Festival

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CHICAGO – The Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) is competitive, and the 57th edition presented its awards on October 22nd, 2021, as a live virtual and online event.. The winner of the Gold Hugo as Best International Film was “Memoria” (Columbia), directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

The 57th Chicago International Film Festival continues on DAY 11, featuring screenings in theater, at the drive-in and virtual/online. Click here for a complete how-to guide on navigating the 57th CIFF. And click DAY 11 for the complete line up of films.

The awards were presented by the various jury members in each film category, and were hosted by Artistic Director Mimi Plauché and Managing Director Vivian Teng. The Festival’s highest honor is the Gold Hugo, named for the mythical God of Discovery.

International Feature Film Competition

‘Memoria’
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Hugo for Best Film: “Memoria” (Columbia) Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul

In a fascinating collaboration between the acclaimed Thai filmmaker and star Tilda Swinton, we follow a Scotswoman living in Bogotá, who is disturbed one night by a loud, mysterious sound outside of her apartment—which no one else seems to hear.

The Silver Hugo – Jury Prize: “Drive My Car” (Japan), directed by Ryuske Hamaguchi

The Silver Hugo – Best Director: Peter Kerekes of “107 Mothers”
(Slovakia/Czech Republic/Ukraine)

The Silver Hugo – Best Performance Male: Bouli Lanners of “Nobody Has to Know” (France/Belgium/UK)

The Silver Hugo – Best Performance Female: Michelle Fairley of “Nobody Has to Know”

The Silver Hugo – Best Screenplay: Aleksandre Koberidze of “What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?” (Germany/Georgia)

The Silver Hugo – Best Cinematography: Kasper Tuxen of “The Worst Person in the World” (Norway)

The Silver Plaque – Best Art Direction: Sergey Fevralev of “Captain Volkonogov Escapes” (Russia/France/Estonia)

Honorable Mention: “Prayers for the Stolen” (Mexico/Germany/Brazil/Qatar) Directed by Tatiana Huezo

New Directors Competition

Brother’s Keeper
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Hugo: Director Ferit Karahan of “Brother’s Keeper” (Turkey/Romania)

The Silver Hugo Director Simón Mesa Soto  of “Amparo” (Columbia/Sweden/Qatar)

International Documentary Competition

Skál
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Hugo: “ Skál” (Faro Islands/Denmark), directed by Cecilie Debell, and Maria Tórgarð

The Silver Hugo: “Babi Yar, Context” (The Netherlands/Ukraine), directed by Sergei Loznitsa

Outlook Competition (LBGTQ+ Films)

Great Freedom
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Q-Hugo: “Great Freedom” (Austria/Germany), directed by Sebastien Miese

The Silver Q-Hugo: “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” (Japan), directed by Hamaguchi Ryusuke

Special Mention: “Paris, 13th District” (France), directed by Jacques Audiard 

Chicago Award

”Any Given Day” (USA, Cook County) Directed by Margaret Byrne
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

Honorable Mention: “Close Ties to Home Country” (USA), directed by Akanksha Cruzynski 

Short Film Competition

Sideral
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Hugo – Narrative: “Affairs of the Art” (UK), directed by Joanna Quinn

The Silver Hugo – Narrative: “Nuevo Rico” (USA), directed by Kristian Mercado 

The Gold Hugo – Documentary: “Greetings From Myanmar” (Norway), directed by Sunniva Sundby and Andreas J. Riiser

The Silver Hugo – Documentary: “Listen to the Beat of Our Images” (France), directed by Audrey Jean Baptiste and Maxime Jean Baptiste 

The Gold Hugo – Live Action: “Sideral” (Brazil), directed by Carlos Segundo 

The Silver Hugo – Live Action: “Filipiñana” (Phillipines), directed by Rafael Manuel

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com