Kevin named LFF best film; Sutherland goes to Las Acacias

As the 55th BFI London Film Festival handed out its awards tonight in London, Lynne Ramsay’s We Need To Talk About Kevin was crowned best film.

The prize was presented in partnership with festival sponsor American Express. Jury chair John Madden said: “This year’s shortlist for best film comprises work that is outstanding in terms of its originality and its stylistic reach. It is an international group, one united by a common sense of unflinching human enquiry and we werestruck by the sheer panache displayed by these great storytellers. In the end, we were simply bowled over by one film, a sublime, uncompromising tale of the torment that can stand in the place of love. We Need to Talk About Kevin is made with the kind of singular vision that links great directors across all the traditions of cinema.”

The Sutherland Award, for the most original and imaginative feature debut in the festival, went to Argentinian director Pablo Giorgelli’sLas Acacias. That jury said: “In a lively and thoughtful jury room debate, Las Acacias emerged as a worthy winner, largely because of theoriginality of its conception. Finely judged performances and a palpable sympathy for his characters makes this a hugely impressive debutfor director Pablo Giorgelli.”

The Best British Newcomer Award, in partnerhsip with Swarovski, went to actress Candese Reid for her performance in Tinge Krishnan’s Junkhearts. She was 18 when she appeared in the film, which marks her first professional acting role.

Chair of the Best British Newcomer jury, Andy Harries said, “Candese is a fresh, brilliant and exciting new talent. Every moment she was onscreen was compelling.”

The Grierson award for best documentary went to Werner Herzog’s Into The Abyss: A Tale of Death, a Tale of Life.

As previously reported, this year’s BFI Fellowships were bestowed upon Ralph Fiennes and David Cronenberg.

Greg Dyke, Chair, BFI said: “The BFI London Film Festival Awards pay tribute to outstanding film talent, so we are delighted and honoured that both Ralph Fiennes, one of the world’s finest and most respected actors and David Cronenberg, one of the most original and ground-breaking film directors of contemporary cinema, have both accepted BFI Fellowships - the highest accolade the BFI can bestow. I also want to congratulate all the filmmakers and industry professionals here tonight, not only on their nominations and awards, but also for their vision, skill, passion and creativity.”