In his diaristic portrait of grief during the isolation of lockdown, Fabrizio Maltese has crafted a personal documentary full of universal poignancy.
62nd Thessaloniki International Film Festival
11/04/2021
Festival Reviews
Drive My Car
Winner of the Academy Award for best international feature, Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s story of how love survives death is a long, measured, ultimately mesmerizing examination of the human soul.
Holy Emy
A young Filipino immigrant in Greece with special healing powers is the focus of Araceli Lemos’ assured drama delving into questions of spirituality, belonging and sisterly bonds with a distinctively creepy edge.
Moneyboys
A high-end gay sex worker in China longs for the family affection he felt as a child in C.B. Yi’s beautifully crafted if not always satisfying debut that showcases the talents of actor Kai Ko.
Sisterhood
The hypocrisy of high school slut-shaming is the core theme of this strong feature debut boasting two exceptional performances and a layered script that’s distinctly Macedonian but with international resonance.
Vera Dreams of the Sea
Kosovo’s Kaltrina Krasniqi makes an impressive feature debut with this beautifully measured drama about a once-compliant 60-something widow who attempts to deflect the malevolent traditional patriarchy in a nation on the edge of change.
Thessaloniki 2021: The Verdict
The sense of relief that suffused the 62nd Thessaloniki International Film Festival could be felt throughout the city’s repurposed old port, not just in the festival locations but in the favorite bars, restaurants and hangouts of the cinema crowd who palpably relished...
Lost Flowers
In his diaristic portrait of grief during the isolation of lockdown, Fabrizio Maltese has crafted a personal documentary full of universal poignancy.
Drive My Car
Winner of the Academy Award for best international feature, Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s story of how love survives death is a long, measured, ultimately mesmerizing examination of the human soul.
Holy Emy
A young Filipino immigrant in Greece with special healing powers is the focus of Araceli Lemos’ assured drama delving into questions of spirituality, belonging and sisterly bonds with a distinctively creepy edge.
Moneyboys
A high-end gay sex worker in China longs for the family affection he felt as a child in C.B. Yi’s beautifully crafted if not always satisfying debut that showcases the talents of actor Kai Ko.
Sisterhood
The hypocrisy of high school slut-shaming is the core theme of this strong feature debut boasting two exceptional performances and a layered script that’s distinctly Macedonian but with international resonance.
Vera Dreams of the Sea
Kosovo’s Kaltrina Krasniqi makes an impressive feature debut with this beautifully measured drama about a once-compliant 60-something widow who attempts to deflect the malevolent traditional patriarchy in a nation on the edge of change.
Thessaloniki 2021: The Verdict
The sense of relief that suffused the 62nd Thessaloniki International Film Festival could be felt throughout the city’s repurposed old port, not just in the festival locations but in the favorite bars, restaurants and hangouts of the cinema crowd who palpably relished...
Awards Corner
Thessaloniki
- Golden Alexander for Competition Film
Softie (France)
Samuel Theis - Special Jury Award for
Clara Sola (Costa Rica)
Director: Natalie Alvarez Mesén - Special Jury Award for Best Director
The Box (Mexico)
Lorenzo Vigas - Best Actress for
Moon, 66 Questions (Greece)
Sofia Kokkali - Best Actor for
Softie (France)
Aliocha Reinert - Best Screenplay for
Pilgrims (Lithuania)
Laurynas Bareisa - Golden Alexander for Meet the Neighbors
Small Body (Italy, France, Slovenia)
Laura Samani - Golden Alexander for Film Forward
Magnetic Fields (Greece)
Yorgos Goussis