British Director Oscar Hudson’s ‘Straight Circle’ Scores Top Venice Critics’ Week Prize
British director Oscar Hudson‘s feature debut “Straight Circle,” an absurdist anti-war satire starring twins Elliott and Luke Tittensor as two soldiers of equal rank in opposing armies, is the big winner of the Venice Critics’ Week where it scooped the grand prize and the award for most innovative feature.
The main jury – comprising Italian directorial duo Valentina and Nicole Bertani, French sales company Kinology’s Nathalie Jeung, and Taiwanese actor Lee Hong-chi – praised “Straight Circle,” calling it “A colorful and absurd black comedy that gradually transforms into a waking nightmare, set against the backdrop of a dystopian world where two soldiers from opposing factions find themselves stationed on the same deserted border,” they said in a statement.
“Visually striking, the film particularly impressed us with the impeccable performances of its two protagonists,” they added, noting that “Straight Circle” is “an anti-war parable, at a time when border disputes are sowing discord across the globe.”
“Straight Circle” also won the section’s award for most innovative feature award, assigned by a five-person jury of people under the age of 35.
Fellow Londoner Imran Perretta’s first feature “Ish” which follows 12-year-old best friends ‘Ish’ and Maram, who wrestle to hold on to their friendship in the wake of a police stop and search, won the section’s audience award, with an average score of 4.3/5.Italian director Giulio Bertelli’s directorial debut “Agon,” starring Italian judo athlete and Olympic Gold medalist Alice Bellandi scored the prize for best indie production. The sports-themed drama that follows three athletes as they prepare and subsequently compete at the fictional Ludoj 2024 Games in judo, fencing and shooting went on release in Italy Aug. 29, kicking off Mubi’s Italian theatrical release slate.
Other Venice Critics’ Week winners include Italian directors Federico Cammarata e Filippo Foscarini’s documentary “Waking Hours” involving a clan of Afghan smugglers who illegally lead people into Europe and took the best technical contribution prize.
The main jury – comprising Italian directorial duo Valentina and Nicole Bertani, French sales company Kinology’s Nathalie Jeung, and Taiwanese actor Lee Hong-chi – praised “Straight Circle,” calling it “A colorful and absurd black comedy that gradually transforms into a waking nightmare, set against the backdrop of a dystopian world where two soldiers from opposing factions find themselves stationed on the same deserted border,” they said in a statement.
“Visually striking, the film particularly impressed us with the impeccable performances of its two protagonists,” they added, noting that “Straight Circle” is “an anti-war parable, at a time when border disputes are sowing discord across the globe.”
“Straight Circle” also won the section’s award for most innovative feature award, assigned by a five-person jury of people under the age of 35.
Fellow Londoner Imran Perretta’s first feature “Ish” which follows 12-year-old best friends ‘Ish’ and Maram, who wrestle to hold on to their friendship in the wake of a police stop and search, won the section’s audience award, with an average score of 4.3/5.Italian director Giulio Bertelli’s directorial debut “Agon,” starring Italian judo athlete and Olympic Gold medalist Alice Bellandi scored the prize for best indie production. The sports-themed drama that follows three athletes as they prepare and subsequently compete at the fictional Ludoj 2024 Games in judo, fencing and shooting went on release in Italy Aug. 29, kicking off Mubi’s Italian theatrical release slate.
Other Venice Critics’ Week winners include Italian directors Federico Cammarata e Filippo Foscarini’s documentary “Waking Hours” involving a clan of Afghan smugglers who illegally lead people into Europe and took the best technical contribution prize.