The Farel Prize winners revealed – Swiss Catholic Portal

The Prix Farel International Film Festival ended with the awards ceremony at the Cinéma Rex in Neuchâtel, on November 17, 2024. In the new 'explainers' category, the video “Hitler did not want to exterminate the Jews”: Netanyahu is telling the truth? by Yann Bouvier, was awarded an award.

At the end of three days of screenings, the jury decided between the thirty documentary films selected and revealed the winners, report the organizers in a press release. “Hitler did not want to exterminate the Jews: Netanyahu is telling the truth? by Yann Bouvier, aka YannToutCourt, was distinguished in the 'explainer' category. The jury praised YannToutCourt “for its ability to respond to the hottest news by delivering very rigorous scientific content in just five minutes and to reach a very large audience on TikTok. The capacity for conciseness and popularization which must be at the heart of content in this format characterizes the reward explainer today.

The jury awarded a special mention to When France forcibly unveiled Muslim women in Algeriaby Karim El Hadj, for the quality of his work on the archives and his capacity for scientific popularization on a little-known fact in the History of France and Algeria.

Death and life

Donovan – The Cleaner by Louise Monlaü, produced by Ladybirds Films, won an award in the “short documentary” category. The film, and particularly the protagonist who acts as a conduit between the deceased and their loved ones with the aim of restoring their dignity and soothing their souls, won over the jury. The latter was also touched by the staging which combines sobriety and subtlety.

A special mention is given to Cherrya Canadian documentary by Laurence Gagné-Frégeau. “A film which talks about death but which is, in reality, a hymn to life.” The jury was very touched “by Cherry’s ability to stay on her feet until the end and by the director’s delicate approach. Laurence Gagné-Frégeau was able to gain the trust of this condemned young woman and gives us the precious gift of her testimony.”

Strengths of women

Hawar, our banished childrenby Pascale Bourgaux, Louise Productions Lausanne, received the prize in the “long documentary” category. The jury chose to distinguish a film from the “Women and Conflict” Session, which powerfully illustrates how women resist and transform dynamics in contexts of crisis or war.. Hawar, our banished children was selected “for its artistic depth and for its words which immerse us in a little-known subject. Through intimate stories, he gives voice to women who have survived unspeakable horrors, faced with a double ordeal: that of personal trauma, as women, then as mothers, and that of tensions with the community and its complex standards.” The jury also particularly appreciated the accuracy and subtlety with which the film approaches its subject.

Syria and abusive priests

The experts also chose to give special mention to Noor’ by Stéphanie Lebrun and Shaza Maddad, produced by Babel Doc. A poignant film that highlights resilience and hope in the darkest moments of the Syrian tragedy. Through the eyes of its young protagonists, Noor explores the quest for light in a world marked by destruction. The jury was sensitive to the directors' ability to translate a complex crisis into a universal story, where the arts such as dance and singing become spaces of resilience, solidarity and the reconstruction of community ties.

A second mention was awarded to the film The forgotten ones of La Belle Etoile, by Clémence Davigo, Alter Ego Production. Through this special mention, the jury wanted to recall the urgency of the issue of child abuse by priests of the Catholic Church. He was sensitive to the intimate approach of the documentary filmmaker Clémence Davigo, her ability to give these men confidence and thus touch on the essence of the documentary, an instrument of truth.

A rejuvenated audience

Marked by a new direction and a rereading of perspectives, this edition wanted to enhance and promote the information formats offered online. The Farel Prize has also lived up to its challenge, the organizers rejoice: welcoming a maximum audience and rejuvenating it! Movie buffs were there. Over three days of the festival, more than 2,000 people in total came to follow the thirty screenings and two round tables. A success which “encourages” the organizers of the Prize to perpetuate this event, the next edition of which is planned for autumn 2026. (cath.ch/com/rz)