SERGEI DVORTSEVOY WINS BOTH GOLDEN & SILVER PEACOCK

PANAJI: For Sergei Dvortsevoy, the film director from Kazakhstan, it was a grand double! ‘Tulpan,’ a film from Kazakhstan-Germany-Switzerland-Russia-Poland, bagged the coveted Golden Peacock and Rs.40 lakh for the best film, while he himself won the Best Director’s award comprising Silver Peacock, Rs.15 lakh and certification at the 39th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2008.
Sri Lankan actress Malini Fonseca won the Special Jury’s award of Silver Peacock and cash prize of Rs.15 lakh for her “subtle and natural acting” in the lead role in ‘Akasa Kusum’ (Flowers of the Sky).
The Sri Lankan film is based on the life and struggles of the people of Kazakhstan.
Mr. Dvortsevoy, who received his awards from chief guest Kamal Hassan and Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat at the closing ceremony, said: “I think films cannot change the world, but films can change the people who in turn can change the world.”