“Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” and “La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortés” win best international and national music documentaries.
At the Closing Gala this last Saturday, November 2nd, before the premiere of Chris Smith’s documentary “DEVO”, we awarded our 22nd edition’s prizes.
Best International Music Documentary
The award went to “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat”, directed by Johan Grimonprez. The jury, composed of Arturo Pérez Navarro, Kristen Vaurio, and Toby L., awarded this film about the political intrigues surrounding the Congolese independence process, narrated to the rhythm of jazz, because it “pushes the art-form, as it’s not a straight narrative, more akin to a three-dimensional essay”. In their verdict, they highlighted the “dynamic interplay between archive and post-production”, “a sound design which is gripping and colourful throughout”, and ” dream soundtrack of a timeless era of eternal icons.” They described it as “a warning sign of corruption and brutality on a societal and personal level, a political music story that really is masterful in its craft, in every possible way.”
Best National Music Documentary
The award went to ‘La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortés’, directed by Antón Álvarez. The jury, composed of Laia Aubia de Higes, Marta Medina del Valle, and Pepe Colubi, awarded Antón Álvarez’s (C. Tangana) directorial debut “for taking us on a personal journey of identity through which he manages to portray the culture of a community that moves between modernity and tradition, with a formal and narrative approach full of cinematic ideas and an immersive and exceptional sound treatment.”
The Jury also gave a special mention to ‘La Marsellesa de los Borrachos’, by Pablo Gil Rituerto, “for its anthropological value and denunciation of repression, and for documenting the extinction of collective struggle and the projection of folklore as a political weapon.”
Best Music Documentary Short Film
The award went to ‘Inania’, directed by Júlia Girós and Vera Herrero Mercader. The jury, composed of Fèlix Colomer Vallès and Marta Mei, distinguished it for “the choice of an original story that introduces the general public to an unknown and unique musical style: Gregorian chant mixed with techno; because the main story serves to tell another story: that of the problems of the forgotten villages in the interior of Spain; and for its visual strength in a cinematography that highlights both the interior spaces explored by the musicians and the exterior landscapes of this depopulated Spain, and that with very close-up shots brings us closer to the characters in a very sensorial way.”
‘El País’ Audience Award
Festival-goers have chosen “Zambra” as their favorite film, awarding José Sánchez-Montes’ stunning documentary about Granada’s Sacromonte flamenco tradition.
