Lithuanian Drama ‘Toxic’ Wins Top Prize at 55th International Film Festival of India
variety.comToxic” took home the best film award at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The jury, headed by Indian director Ashutosh Gowariker, recognized the film for its portrayal of adolescence and economic hardship.
Previously, at Locarno, “Toxic” won not only the Golden Leopard for Best Film in the fest’s premier International Competition — from a jury chaired by Austrian auteur Jessica Hausner — but also, in an unusual double, the top prize in the separately juried First Feature Competition.
Variety‘s positive review of “Toxic” described the film as “sobering but not without glimmers of tenderness and humor as female friendship takes root in a hopeless place,” adding that its “alternation between chilly composure and kinetic movement roughly corresponds with [the protagonist’s] wavering sense of self.” Romanian director Bogdan Muresanu nabbed the best director prize for “The New Year That Never Came,” a multi-narrative feature set during a revolution.
The jury cited his skill in crafting a tragicomedy against the backdrop of social upheaval. The best actor award went to Clément Faveau for the French film “Holy Cow,” by Louise Courvoisier, with a special mention for Adam Bessa’s performance in the Tunisian-French-Canadian co-production “Who Do I Belong To?” In a notable joint win, “Toxic” stars Vesta Matulytė and Ieva Rupeikaitė shared the best actress prize for their debut roles. “Holy Cow” also received the Special Jury Award, while Sarah Friedland’s “Familiar Touch” was honored as best debut feature.
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