Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's 'Sexy Durga' has won the Hivos Tiger Award at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam 2017. The 85 minute-long film featuring Kannan Nayar, Rajshri Deshpande in the lead was selected by the jury from eight films in the Hivos Tiger Competition. The award carries a cash prize of 40,000 euros (Rs 28.9 lakh).
Sexy Durga is a thriller about a couple who elopes in the middle of the night and hitch a ride with four men.
According to the jury, the film was presented the award “for its daring and resourceful approach in creating a mood of constant tension. The particular use of camera and acting gives a sense of immediacy and momentum, while providing an insight into multi-layered power dynamics of gender, class and authority.”
The jury comprised of Michael Almereyda, Amir Muhammad, Fien Troch, Diana Bustamante Escobar and Newsha Tavakolian.
It is a big boost to the Indie film movement in the Malayalam film industry, said Sanal.
“Sexy Durga won the great tiger award at the IFFR. This is something for team sexydurga and indie movement in Malayalam. Thanks everyone. Remember my friends who supported me making my first film. Thank you.. Thanks IFFR,” Sasidharan posted on his FB page.
The Hivos Tiger Competition was set up in the International Film Festival of Rotterdam in 1995. The section promotes distinguishing and up-and-coming international film talent. The Special jury award carries a 10,000 euros cash prize, awarded for exceptional achievement in the section.
"For its daring and resourceful approach in creating a mood of constant tension. The particular use of camera and acting give a sense of immediacy and momentum, while providing an insight into multi-layered power dynamics of gender, class and authority," stated the jury about the road movie, the third from Sanal that follows the horrifying experience of Durga, a north Indian migrant and a youth named Kabeer who are running away at midnight.
Sanal Kumar had earlier won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Director for his second film, 'Oraalppokkam' in 2014. Sexy Durga is his third feature film.
(With ENS inputs)