A Prophet named best film at inaugural London Film Festival Awards
Story by Jack Foley
JACQUES Audiard’s unflinching prison drama A Prophet has been named best film at the inaugural awards ceremony of the London Film Festival.
The film was selected by an international jury chaired by Anjelica Huston and consisting of John Akomfrah, Jarvis Cocker, Mathieu Kassovitz, Charlotte Rampling and Iain Softley.
Announcing their decision, Huston said: “A masterpiece: Un Prophete has the ambition, purity of vision and clarity of purpose to make it an instant classic. With seamless and imaginative story-telling, superb performances and universal themes, Jacques Audiard has made a perfect film.”
John Hillcoat’s The Road was also given a special mention for its “breathtaking vision, extraordinary performances and profound political statement”.
Further awards were presented to Jack Thorne, screenwriter of the film The Scouting Book For Boys, who was named best British newcomer; Ajami, which was awarded the Sutherland Trophy for the most original and imaginative first feature screening in the festival, and Yoav Shamir, for his documentary Defamation.
Two BFI Fellowships, which mark the highest accolade that the British Film Institute can bestow, were awarded to British actor John Hurt and renowned Malian filmmaker Souleymane Cissé.