Athina Rachel Tsangari was the name on the lips of cinephiles at Saturday night’s British Film Institute’s London Film Festival Awards.
The Greek director was awarded the top prize for the film Chevalier, a deadpan Greek comedy exploring masculine prowess and anxiety.
Set aboard a yacht, six men compete in a contest of machismo during which they take part in a series of challenges to take out the title of ‘Chevalier’ and be presented with a ring.
The 49-year-old was praised by Pawel Pawlikowski, president of the festival jury and director of last year’s winner Ida.
“Chevalier is a study of male antagonism seen though the eyes of a brave and original filmmaker,” said Mr Pawlikowski while presenting Tsangari with the festival’s bronze Star of London.
“With great formal rigour and irresistible wit, Tsangari has managed to make a film that is both a hilarious comedy and a deeply disturbing statement on the condition of western humanity.”
Also competing for the top prize were Cary Fukunaga’s Beasts of No Nation and Office, by Hong Kong crime director Johnnie To.
Source: The Guardian, Yahoo News