The SIGNIS Jury praised the British film’s portrait of mutual care. The film also won the Golden Shell. Brazil’s Vicentina pede desculpas received a special mention.
DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN — Tender Loving Care, the new film by the British director Mike Leigh, has won the SIGNIS award at the 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival, which ran from 18 to 26 September. The international jury of SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, also gave a special mention to Vicentina pede desculpas by the Brazilian filmmaker Gabriel Martins.
Leigh’s film also won more awards than any other in the festival’s official competition. It took the Golden Shell for best film and the jury prize for best screenplay. Kate O’Flynn won the Silver Shell for best leading performance, which she shared with Asta Kamma August for Markens grøde (Growth of the Soil). Leigh, 83, did not attend the closing ceremony and accepted the award by video link.
Tender Loving Care follows Amy and Rosie, two friends who work as social workers. They look after vulnerable people through public crises and with little institutional support. Rosie is estranged from her own family and grows close to Amy’s parents, Birdie and Geoff. The cast includes O’Flynn, Alice Bailey Johnson, Marion Bailey and Paul Jesson.
In its statement, the jury said the film “reflects the importance of caring for one another in a society that is becoming increasingly individualistic”. It added: “Each of its characters embodies hope in the face of adversity and a commitment to others, while maintaining a genuine sense of humor that brings lightness to life in a difficult moment.”
The jury said the film’s “narrative coherence preserves the naturalness and authenticity of the relationships”. It also praised “its cinematic quality and the excellence of its cast”, as well as its attention “to the most ordinary and intimate details of everyday life”.
The special mention for Vicentina pede desculpas recognised “the deeply moving humanity of its protagonist, who is able to seek reconciliation beyond her own pain”. Rejane Faria plays an elderly teacher. After a bus crash kills her son and several passengers, she visits the victims’ families to ask their forgiveness.
María Molina of Spain chaired the SIGNIS Jury. Gustavo Winkler of Argentina served as secretary, and Ignasi Rivero and Raquel Ibáñez, both from Spain, were members.