National Award-winning Malayalam Film “Ottaal” has been named as the Best Film by Children’s jury at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. It has been honored with the Crystal Bear in the GENERATION K+ section.
A post on the official Twitter handle of the Berlin Film Festival read, “GENERATION K+ Crystal Bears announced! Best Short: EL INICIO DE FABRIZIO, Best Film: OTTAAL.”
The official site of the festival describes “Ottaal” as an exceptional Movie and added, “The unique way of filming certain details blew us away. We think it’s important that such a sad and serious topic be tackled in a movie, though the film also managed to capture the humour and joy of life.”
The Berlin International Film was held from February 11-21.
Directed by Jayaraj Rajasekharan Nair, “Ottaal” narrates the story of an old fisherman and his grandson. It is an adaptation of a short story by Russian writer Anton Chekhov.
“Ottaal” also won two National Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation. It also won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film and was screened at the Mumbai Film Festival and the International Film Festival of Kerala.