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French Director of "Welcome" Philippe
Lioret receives the 2009 LUX prize
A film about a would-be Kurdish immigrant to
Britain who is befriended by a swimming teacher
has won the annual LUX film prize. Directed
by French film maker Philippe Lioret, "Welcome"
has received widespread praise from critics
since being released earlier this year. It came
ahead of "Sturm" and "Eastern
Plays", films which looked at the Yugoslav
war crimes tribunals and Neo-Nazism respectively.
Prior to awarding the prize EP President Jerzy
Buzek said that "the LUX prize is a young
and forward-looking initiative. We want the
medium of film to spark debate on subjects that
attract public attention in the EU Members,
and give rise to questions that can be of relevance
to us all, questions that are also relevant
to this Parliament".
Accepting the award Philippe Lioret told the
Chamber that "the impact the film had on
French society made me change. We started as
filmmakers and then turned into citizens".
The winner was chosen by Members of the European
Parliament who could cast their vote for the
shortlisted films.
23 languages, 27 prints
The 87,000 euro prize will finance the subtitling
of the winning film in the 23 official EU languages
and the production of a 35 mm print per EU country
or a contribution to the DVD release. The hope
is that it will me more accessible to viewers
throughout the Union.
Since 2007, the European Parliament has supported
the European film industry by awarding the prize
annually.
The aim is to help break down language barriers
that often hinder the circulation of films throughout
Europe. It also helps to contribute to the raising
of social issues across Europe. |