Every annual Rotterdam festival awards three Tigers. This time, the triumph was shared by Italy's "Changing Destiny", Daniele Gaglianone, director, and "Heaven Turns" by Mercedes Alvarez of Spain. The jury selected the three out of a fourteen Tiger hopefuls.
Experts think the Russian film was the best of all. "The young Russian director owes his success to his wild, unbridled gift and the audacity with which he addresses his audiences," says a local press review.
"The film '4' comes as a crushing nightmare to put us to the boundary of the truth and the lie. Ilya Khrzhanovsky has displayed great daring with the choice of his theme and with the way he shows a self-devouring community. What struck us the most was his radical treatment of women in the scenes that figure young prostitutes and old ladies," says the jury.
Khrzhanovsky also won another Rotterdam prize, the Gold Cactus.
Though ready a year ago, "4" has not yet reached the public-at-large in its own country. The fact was widely advertised during the festival.
Each Tiger-winning director receives a 10,000 Euro prize, and the film appears on the Dutch television.
