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Published on July 29, 2007

Critically acclaimed "XXY" by Argentinean director Lucia Puenzo scooped the prestigious Golden Kinnaree Award after competing with eight other films at the festival. Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya presented the awards during yesterday evening's ceremony at the World Ballroom of the Centara Grand Hotel.

The drama is about 15-year-old Alex, who has a secret. Soon after her birth, her parents left Buenos Aires for the bleak shoreline of Uruguay. When friends visit, they discover the truth and offer to help with the necessary surgery.

"The film won with cutting-edge sensibility. The director gave a powerful portrayal to a unique subject matter," said the jury, led by Frenchman Christian Jeune from the Cannes Film Festival.

The Special Jury Prize went to "Lost in Beijing" by China's Yu Li, while Pen-ek Rattanaruang's "Ploy" - also contesting for the Golden Kinnaree Award - came up empty-handed.

"'Lost in Beijing' won for its insightful observation of contemporary China and its rapidly changing values," said the jury statement.

Ray Harryhausen, Hollywood's special effects pioneer, received the "Lifetime Achievement Award".

Apart from the Golden Kinnaree, 10 films from the 10 Asean member countries were fielded for the Best Asean Film award. The works in this category were judged by members of the International Federation of Film Critics, led by American film critic Chuck Stephens.

The award went to "Before We Fall in Love Again" by Malaysian James Lee.

"We are happy to award 'Before We Fall in Love Again' for its cinematic inventiveness and its femitive handling of the experience of love and loss. We wish to congratulate all the film-makers who we know work under difficult circumstances. Congratulations and thank you very much," the jury statement read.

"Eternally Yours" by Japan's Atsushi Ogata bagged the "Best Short".

"The short won the award for its well acted and entertaining production with a story that breaks stereotypes and has a meaningful message," the committee said.

Parinyaporn Pajee

The Nation