The Tuschinski Award for best final exam film of the Film Academy was awarded this afternoon at the Dutch Film Festival to Anne-Marieke Graafmans for her documentary If I didn't have you. What is special about the presentation of this award for up-and-coming talent is that the commercial cinema business and independent film criticism are here together for a while. The Tuschinski Award is presented and sponsored with 5000 euro by Pathé Theatres, but the Kring van Nederlandse Filmjournalisten (Circle of Dutch Film Journalists) is allowed to select the winner.
Most charmed, then, were the professional viewers of If I didn't have you, a seemingly simple but apt and moving portrait Anne-Marieke Graafmans made of her neighbours. Two elderly Amsterdammers who found each other later in life and now go out as much as possible in their rusty camper van. However, it soon turns out that behind this humorous sketch of popular ups and downs, there is a great sadness. Seemingly casually, Graafmans shows how a daughter who disappeared without a trace and a drug-addicted son have marked their lives, but also how they find in each other the love and strength to go on. Utterly unsentimental, but precisely touching. Very clever. Earlier, Graafmans had also received the VPRO documentary award for this.
Pathé's marketing manager Youry Bredewold took the opportunity to urge all the budding filmmakers present to remain above all yourself as a filmmaker, without losing sight of the importance of good marketing. The audience does not come automatically, was his message. Audiences do come, judging by the fact that Bredewold already dared to predict that 2011 will be a record year for cinemas, passing the 30 million visitor mark. So still a positive sound at a festival that started with a fierce protest against the destruction of the arts. Perhaps the film industry should fill the gap left by the government after all.
Two other awards were presented on the same occasion. The Dioraphte Incentive Award for best graduation film from the other academies went to State of anxiety, a documentary by Nicky Maas about the 2011 death anniversary, a year after the 'dam scream'.
The Producer Award of the Dutch Association of Motion Picture Producers went to Guusje van Deuren as best producer of a graduation film.
Leo Bankersen
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Marie how incredibly proud I am of you.
Congratulations to you all!!!
and may I star in your next film haha
Good luck with everything and with the budget you can now make a nice start on the next film.
See you soon lol
Love Brigitte
Dear Anne-Marieke,
And again, you won an award. Fantastic!
As your "former" colleague, I am very proud of you.
I had no idea you were so talented.
We have only seen a small part of the docu about Harrie and Riek but are very curious to see the full result. With the prizes that have already been won, I'm sure it will be good. Harrie and Riek: we as friends of the LT club are proud of you and of Anne-Marieke for capturing your lives... all the best and good luck from Brabant!!!
Patrick, Helen and Imke
Anne-marieke,
Congratulations,on yet another award for your documentary "If I didn't have you".
We are proud to have been part of the filming.
And that this is the beginning of a great career.
Greetings Leo and Hanny Ebben
Anne marieke if I didn't have you another award great Anne we love you congratulations.
Greetings Riek and harrie.
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