Winners
Winner 2009
Gonzalo Montiel
Gonzalo Montiel, a 32 year-old filmmaker from Argentina, received a $5,000 award for his project “Japón”
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The film “Japón” was born during a film workshop organized for young intellectually handicapped people. Five participants and two coordinators launch out on an adventure to create, act and film the stories of their own making. Japón is a soccer team in perpetual competition with its rival team, Jabón. Each workshop participant relates his own story: Messi, the kicker, is in love with Esmerelda, whom he hopes to marry; Borgez is a poet in search of his dream… Lacone travels incessantly by bus and sings like Luis Miguel… Raúl, the team’s goal keeper, prepares a barbecue for his friends.
The intellectually handicapped are generally marginalized by society, victims of prejudice and stereotypes. “Japón” represents an alternative place where individuals can meet, play and recognize each other, an inclusive environment characterized by respect for human diversity and shared values.
Late one afternoon.
Seated in the green armchair.
Plunged deep into “Japón”.
“Japón” was created this way :
At ground level,
Step by step,
meter by meter,
Shoulder against shoulder, From one man to the next.
The phone rings.
« Alter-Ciné is giving us a grant ».
On the same green armchair.
I leaped!
A sudden burst of incredible energy.
Recognition!
Repeated leaps followed
by the film’s protagonists.
And then.
We were the same,
but not exactly the same.
Our vision was extended
Our confidence was refreshed and serene.
The faraway shoulders
Of faraway men Far
yet so very close.
– Gonzalo Montiel