51st Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin 2001

PRIZE OF THE DEUTSCHES KINDERHILFSWERK

The International Jury of the Kinderfilmfest of the
51st Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin:

Alexandra Schatz (Deutschland), David Elfick (Australia),
Catherine M. Kavanaugh (USA), Lennart Strom (Sweden),
Albert Hanan Kaminski (Israel)

awards the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Grand Prix for the
best feature, which includes a cash award of DM 15,000 to


NAGISA
von Masaru Konuma

Set in a seaside town in the 1960's, NAGISA is a portrait of
a girl’s apprehensive examination and exploration of
adulthood. This exquisitely photographed film gives us such
palpable scenes that allow us to enter her world, feel the
hot sun, smell her mother’s cooking and travel with Nagisa
through the events of her twelfth summer. Madoka
Matsuda gives an uncompromised performance, ably
supported by a fine cast of unique young and adult
characters. It is a film of wonderful sensitivity, humor and
sadness with many memorable scenes that stay with one
long after the film is viewed.

Director Konuma does not resort to manipulation or hyper-sentimentality,
nor to buffoons or bullies to tell his story
but rather relies on his meticulous craftsmanship to take us
inside the lifestyle and consciousness of the Japanese people
while telling a universal story abut adolescence. And the
subtle rhythm of his editing offers a balance that draws us
even further into the film.

It is an outstanding film in all aspects: entertaining,
poignant, and beautifully constructed - a most worthy
recipient of this award.　　　　　　　　　　[JAPANESE]