It’s been a very good week for Michael Haneke’s Palme d’Or winner “The White Ribbon.” One day after being selected as Germany’s official entry in the Oscar race, it has received a prestigious addition to its trophy cabinet in the shape of the FIPRESCI Grand Prix for Film of the Year. (Before you complain that the award is a few months premature, the eligibility period runs from July 2008.)
You probably recognize FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) as the body that hands out its own awards at a wide range of film festivals throughout the year. (Of course, “The White Ribbon” also nabbed a Cannes FIPRESCI gong back in May.)
But the Grand Prix, which was inaugurated in 1999 and is (rather randomly) handed out at the opening ceremony of the San Sebastian fest in September, represents the culmination of a year’s worth of honors, and must rank as one the most all-inclusive awards in existence. As you can see from the list of previous winners below the cut, Haneke’s win here places him in some illustrious company.
As I discussed yesterday, widespread critical acclaim doesn’t always sway the Academy on foreign-language titles, but regardless, “The White Ribbon” looks headed for numerous critical citations at the year’s end.
FIPRESCI GRAND PRIX WINNERS
1999 “All About My Mother” (Pedro Almodovar)
2000 “Magnolia” (Paul Thomas Anderson)
2001 “The Circle” (Jafar Panahi)
2002 “The Man Without a Past” (Aki Kaurismaki)
2003 “Distant” (Nuri Bilge Ceylan)
2004 “Notre Musique” (Jean-Luc Godard)
2005 “3-Iron” (Kim Ki-duk)
2006 “Volver” (Pedro Almodovar)
2007 “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” (Cristian Mungiu)
2008 “There Will Be Blood” (Paul Thomas Anderson)
2009 “The White Ribbon” (Michael Haneke)
Comments
8 responses to “FIPRESCI names ‘White Ribbon’ best film of the year”
Wow. Nice list. Who knew the FIPRESCI had such good taste. I’m really amazed at the list there. All great films. Some masterpieces. And most ignored by the Academy. How interesting.
11 films. 9 different countries. Gotta love that.
And both times a country repeated it’s because the director did too.
Gotta love anyone w. that much respect for Almodovar. That list has got me thinking abt. how time is fast approaching for us to begin putting this decade into perspective, cinematically speaking. I know at least 2 of Pedro’s films would be certain inclusions in any top 20 of mine.
broken embraces today in UK.
A new oscar goes to Penelope.
Jackal: For “Broken Embraces?” Not a chance in hell.
Good performance, though.
“Notre Musique” stands out like a sore thumb.
Those are pretty great winners, specially 2007 & 2008, though both films are actually from the same year. The White Ribbon has already built up a pretty formidable reputation. The American films seem weak again this year so maybe Ribbon will gain some traction.