Columbia Filmmakers Win Big At San Sebastián International Film Festival 2020
Beginning, a feature film written and directed by alumna Déa Kulumbegashvili '18 and produced by alumnus Ilan Amouyal '17, was the big winner at the 68th edition of the San Sebastián International Film Festival, winning the Golden Shell, the festival’s top prize. Kulumbegashvili’s debut film also secured the awards in the Best Director, Best Actress (Ia Sukhitashvili) and Best Screenplay (for Kulumbegashvili and Rati Oneli) categories.
Another Columbia filmmaker with a successful festival appearance is student Selman Nacar. Between Two Dawns (Kadir), written, directed and produced by Nacar, screened in the Work In Progress Europa showcase and took home both possible awards, the WIP Europa Industry Award and the WIP Europa Award over its four competitors.
Beginning tells the story of a Jehovah Witness community that is attacked by an extremist group. In the midst of this conflict, the familiar world of Yana, the wife of the community leader, slowly crumbles. Yana’s inner discontent grows as she struggles to make sense of her desires.
The film continues its strong festival showing after winning the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Prize at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this month as well as screening at the New York Film Festival and being included in the official selection of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Dea Kulumbegashvili was born and raised in Georgia. She grew up in the remote Caucasus Mountains in the small town of Lagodekhi. Her upbringing in this historic melting pot of various cultures and nationalities is a primary influence in her vision as a filmmaker. After extensive years of working in the world of film, Kulumbegashvili enrolled at the Columbia University’s Directing and Screenwriting program in 2013.
Ilan Amouyal is a producer based in Paris and New York. He holds degrees from Brandeis and Harvard, attended l’Atelier at La Fémis and graduated from Columbia University winning the EP award for best producer in 2017. His projects have aired on HBO, played at the Cannes Film Festival (Directors Fortnight), IFF Rotterdam, and MoMA’s New Directors-New Films. In 2017, he produced Rust in Peace and La dernière Nuit starring Mélanie Thierry.
In Between Two Dawns (Kadir), a worker is severely wounded in Kadir's family business. The family council discusses the legal results of the accident. If the worker's wife cannot be convinced to sign the waiver, it is decided that someone from the family should take the blame and flee abroad. Although Kadir faces up to this self-sacrifice for his family, he doesn't want to leave Esma, with whom he has wedding plans. Kadir tries to deal with the crisis and, in the meantime, unravels some secrets about the accident and his family.
Selman Nacar has written and directed five short films, and received awards at many international film festivals. He co-produced Tuzdan kaide (The Pillar of Salt, 2018) and produced Aidiyet (Belonging, 2019), both were directed by Burak Cevic and premiered in the Forum Section of Berlin Film Festival. He also participated in the Berlinale Talents 2019 and First Films First 2020. İki Şafak Arasında (Between Two Dawns) is his first feature film and he is currently working on his second, Aralik (Lacuna).