'Geographies of Solitude' wins grand prize in international competition at JIFF

A scene from “Geographies of Solitude” / Courtesy of JIFF

By Kim Rahn

“Geographies of Solitude,” a documentary film by Canadian director Jacquelyn Mills, has won the grand prize in the International Competition at the 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF).

In the parallel Korean Competition, “Jeong-sun” by director Jeong Ji-hye was picked for the grand prize.

JIFF announced 22 prizewinners, including the two, during a ceremony at Jeonju Dome in the North Jeolla provincial city, Wednesday, before it closes the 10-day festival on Saturday.

“Geographies of Solitude” is about conservationist Zoe Lucas, who has dedicated her life to preserving flora and fauna on Sable Island in Canada, featuring the island's beautiful scenery and Lucas' philosophy of life.

The Best Picture Prize sponsored by NH Nonghyup in the International Competition category went to “Unrest” by Swiss director Cyril Schaublin, a political film depicting the powerful waves created by small numbers of people trying to change the world and those in power who refuse to change.

“Tokyo Kurds,” by Japanese director Fumiari Hyuga, and “The Silence of the Mole” by Guatemalan director Anais Taracena, were co-recipients of the Special Jury Prize.

“Jeong-sun,” the winner of the Korean Competition, tells the story of a middle-aged woman who becomes the talk of the town after her boyfriend spreads spycam clips of her, and who finally takes decisive action.

The Best Actor Prize, sponsored by ONFIFN, was co-given to Oh Min-ae from “Missing Yoon” and Ok Ja-yeon from “Archaeology of Love.”

“In The Dry Stream,” by Korean director Kang Ji-hyo, won the grand prize in the Korean Competition for Shorts category.