EUROPEAN FILM ACADEMY

Rithy Panh wins European Documentary

EUROPEAN FILM ACADEMY DOCUMENTARY 2007 - Prix ARTE goes to the film LE PAPIER NE PEUT PAS ENVELOPPER LA BRAISE (Paper cannot Wrap up Embers) by Rithy Panh, France.

In co-operation with the European cultural channel ARTE, the European Film Academy annually honours an outstanding achievement in documentary filmmaking.

This year's jury was made up of Francine Brücher from Switzerland (head of international promotion/Swiss Films), David Fisher from Israel (general director/The New Israeli Film Foundation) and Philip Gröning from Germany (director/producer). They screened all ten nominated documentaries at Berlin's Arsenal cinema and decided on the winner.

The jury statement reads as follows:

"Carefully balancing observational cinema with very well made scenes the winning film depicts the lives of a group of Cambodian prostitutes and their closest surroundings. With infinite respect and great warmth, a near “Brechtian” documentary unfolds, a work of great humanity and impressive artistic competence. Here is the voice of a community who usually remain mute and the mutual respect and care they manage to maintain under conditions of extreme exploitation. The European Film Academy Documentary 2007 - Prix ARTE is awarded to the French director Rithy Panh for his film PAPER CANNOT WRAP UP EMBERS."

The documentary’s Cinematographer was, once again, PRUM MESA that has been collaborating with world wide awarded director Rithy Panh since 2000. Together they have done five documentary films.

The award will be presented during the 20th European Film Awards
Ceremony at at Berlin’s Arena on Saturday, 1 December.