‘Sur l’Adamant’ Wins Golden Bear for Best Film Award in 2023 Berlinale

French-language film “Sur l’Adamant,” directed by Nicolas Philibert, won the Golden Bear for Best Film award at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival. Judged by an international jury (which included Kristen Stewart) with close knowledge of the film industry and the art of filmmaking, the film made its world premiere at the film festival on Feb. 24, 2023.

The film is a documentary that follows l’Adamant Daycare Center, a fascinating rehabilitation center for adults with mental disorders that floats on the River Seine. The documentary focuses on the daily lives of the center’s patients and caregivers, and it tackles efforts to fight against dehumanization within psychiatry. Interestingly, this documentary is the first film within a trilogy. The second film, called “Averroès et Rosa Parks,” will look at two hospital units and focus largely on individual interviews with patients and caregivers.

The third film, which currently has no name, focuses on home visits. Philibert has almost finished shooting all three documentaries, and they are intended to be released a few months apart from each other and be distinct films. If the first one has already won such an award, then it’ll be interesting to see what comes next.

The film festival also released its Silver Bear awards:

   -The Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize was won by Christian Petzold for “Roter Himmel”

   -The Silver Bear Jury Prize was won by João Canijo for “Mal Viver”

   -The Silver Bear for Best Director was won by Philippe Garrel for “Le grand chariot”

   -The Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance was won by Sofía Otero for “20.000 especies de abejas”

   -The Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance was won by Thea Ehre for “Bis ans Ende der Nacht”

   -The Silver Bear for Best Screenplay was won by Angela Schanelec for “Music”

   -The Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution was won by Hélène Louvart for “Disco Boy”

Check out more awards and categories for the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival at their website.