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Official Reel Lives Press Releases
Communiqués de presse officiel
Chrigu wins grand prize at first ever international documentary film festival on cancer
First International Cancer Film Festival Announces Finalists (July 14 2008)
New Film Festival Challenges Cancer Stigma
Top Oncologist on Jury Panel (April 24 2008)
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Chrigu wins grand prize at first ever international documentary film festival on cancer
Reel Lives: The Cancer Chronicles Film Festival awards prizes to top filmmakers
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 30 August 2008 – Chrigu from Switzerland has been awarded the Grand Prize in the first ever Reel Lives: Cancer Chronicles Film Festival at a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland. Runners up prizes were also awarded to The Truth About Cancer (USA) for Best Reportage, The Art of Living (India) for Best Personal Story, The Children of Avenir (Morocco) for Best Organizational Film and Hookah (Israel) for the best Public Service Announcement.
Award winners were chosen from an impressive line-up of 33 finalists from 16 countries. More than 250 films were entered into the competition.
“We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of these outstanding documentary filmmakers. Not only are they innovative and notable artists, they have all been touched by cancer in some way.” commented Ann Steyn, chair of the festival jury. “Their experience of cancer, whether it be first hand or caring for a loved one, resonates with many millions of people across the globe.”
Grand Prize winner Chrigu tells the story of a young man who once had great plans for the future until, at the age of 21, an advanced-stage tumour was discovered in his neck. Director Jan Gassmann follows Christian Ziörjen’s (Chrigu) fight to live and creates a moving and surprising portrait of his best friend.
“I am honoured and delighted that Chrigu has been recognised by Reel Lives, and I applaud all those whose films were included in this remarkable programme” comments Jan Gassmann. “The medium of film is very powerful, especially in such a complex, personal project. Through film, Christian was able to show people what he was really going through and how the disease changed him. It became a kind of helpful self-reflection for him.”
Reel Lives: The Cancer Chronicles Film Festival was organized by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), the leading international non-governmental organization dedicated exclusively to global cancer control, and was held in parallel with the World Cancer Congress in Geneva. The festival aims to raise awareness of the complex realities of cancer globally, to shatter taboos and myths surrounding the disease, and to challenge stigma. Reel Lives pays tribute to those whose lives have been impacted by cancer, and provides them with the opportunity to tell their story to a global audience through the creative medium of film.
“The success of Reel Lives was truly remarkable,” commented Isabel Mortara, UICC executive director. “All finalists brought adversity and courage to the big screen in their own unique way. We congratulate all entries to the festival; they championed the idea of celebrating the art of life through their battle with cancer.”
The winners were chosen by a judging panel including: Ann Steyn, president of Reach to Recovery International (RRI); Dr Tezer Kutluk, President of Turkish Association for Cancer Research & Control; Cynthia Gelb, health communications specialist at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA; Dr Jeff Dunn, Chief Executive Officer of The Cancer Council Queensland, Australia; Isabelle Moncada, medical journalist from the Swiss National Broadcasting System TSR; and Isabel Mortara, executive director of the UICC.
“It gives me great pleasure to see that Reel Lives has been such an exceptional event and we are proud to be the lead sponsor of this unique initiative.” said Dr Paolo Paoloetti, senior vice president of GlaxoSmithKline Oncology Medicine Development Center. “These intensely personal stories have opened up borders in our perception and understanding of cancer across the world and that can only help us all in the ongoing battle to find new and better ways of fighting the disease.”
Additional sponsors of the festival include PPD Inc., Loterie Romande, Femina, Le Temps, PharmaNet, ESCA, ASAP, Fondo Anglesio Moroni, CAC – Voltaire,.
For more information please visit the festival website (www.reellives.org) or contact:
Swiss media
Claudia Durgnat
T: +41 79 507 23 24
EU Media
Antoinette Lee
T: +44 (0)20 7798 9993
US Media
Jennifer Ryan
T: + 1 214 378 7778
BEST OF THE FEST: Chrigu
Switzerland, Jan Gassmann, German, 87 min The story of a young man who once had great plans for the future until, at the age of 21, an advanced-stage tumour was discovered. Jan Gassmann follows Christian Ziörjen’s (Chrigu) fight to live, in a film less about death, but about living life.
BEST REPORTAGE: The Truth About Cancer
USA, Linda Garmon, English, 90 min
When filmmaker Linda Garmon’s husband died of cancer, she began a quest to find out why. Following the stories of three other patients, she discovers that the answer is tragically at odds with the very American belief that if you just fight hard enough, you can beat cancer.
BEST PERSONAL STORY: Art of Living
India, Sutapa Biswas, Hindi, 14 min
This film recounts the story of Sambhu Das, a painter who was diagnosed with cancer of the Larynx in 1998 and overcame all hurdles to tell his story. Despite financial and physical limitations Sambhu never lost focus of becoming a successful painter. This is a film celebrating the inner strength of a common man.
BEST EDUCATIONAL / ORGANIZATIONAL: Children of Avenir
Morocco, Bruno Peyronnet, French, 18 min When a local doctor discovers that 11-year-old Mohamad has a tumour, Mohamad and his mother must travel six-hundred kilometers from their village in eastern Morocco to the capital city, Rabat. The Association de L'Avenir provides a place for children and their families to reside during their treatment. Even amidst trying times, Mohamad and his mother have an opportunity to see the ocean for the first time.
BEST PSA: The Hookah
Israel, Israel Cancer Association, Hebrew, 30 sec A stylish PSA suggests other kinds of smoking, even the most recreational, can prove just as deadly.
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REEL LIVES - PREMIER FESTIVAL DE FILMS DOCUMENTAIRES SUR LE SUJET DU CANCER PRIX DU MEILLEUR FILM DESCERNE AU FILM SUISSE "CHRIGU"
GENÈVE, SUISSE, le 30 août 2008 – Chrigu, Le film suisse de Jan Gassmann s’est vu décerner le Grand Prix pour le meilleur film de Reel Lives: Les Chroniques du cancer, le premier Festival International de films documentaires traitant du cancer.
La cérémonie de remise des prix a eu lieu samedi 30 août au CAC Voltaire de la Maison des arts du Grütli à Genève.
Les prix suivants ont aussi été remis :
• Meilleure reportage : La Vérité sur le Cancer (The Truth about Cancer), États-Unis
• Meilleur Témoignage : L'art de vivre (The Art of Living), Inde,
• Le meilleur film produit par une organisation: Les Enfants de l’Avenir, Maroc
• Meilleur Message d'Intérêt Public : Narguilé (Hookah), Israël
Les lauréats des Prix ont été choisis parmi une liste impressionnante de 33 finalistes venant de 16 pays différents. Au total, plus de 250 films ont étés soumis à la compétition.
"Nous sommes ravis d’honorer les œuvres de ces réalisateurs de films documentaires. Non seulement ce sont de remarquables innovateurs et artistes mais leur expérience de la maladie est unique." a commenté Ann Steyn, présidente du jury du festival. «Leur expérience du cancer, qu’elle soit la leur ou celle d’un être cher, résonne avec des millions de personnes à travers le monde."
Le lauréat du Grand prix, Chrigu, raconte l'histoire d'un jeune homme qui avait de grands projets pour son avenir. A l'âge de 21 ans, une tumeur en stade avancé a été découverte au niveau son cou; depuis lors il lutte pour survivre. Le réalisateur Jan Gassmann l’a accompagné avec une caméra et a réussi à réaliser un portrait surprenant de son meilleur ami Christian Ziörjens (Chrigu).
«Je suis honoré et ravi que Chrigu ait été récompensé par le Jury de Reel
Lives, et je salue tous ceux dont les films ont été inclus dans cette programmation remarquable », commente Jan Gassmann. "L’émotion partagée par le biais du film est très puissante, en particulier dans un témoignage si complexe et personnel. A travers ce film, Chrigu voulait partager avec d’autres ce qu’il traversait et son expérience de la maladie avec ses inévitables changements. Ce projet est alors devenu une sorte de réflexion personnelle sur lui-même.
Le festival Reel Lives: Les Chroniques du Cancer a été produit par l’Union Internationale contre le Cancer (UICC), la plus importante organisation internationale non gouvernementale dédiée exclusivement au contrôle du cancer au niveau mondial et s’est déroulé du 28 au 30 août, en parallèle avec le Congrès Mondial Contre le Cancer à Palexpo, Genève. Le festival vise à faire prendre conscience des réalités complexes du cancer au niveau mondial, de faire éclater les tabous et les mythes entourant la maladie, et de combattre la stigmatisation. Reel Lives rend hommage à tous ceux dont les vies ont été touchées par le cancer, et leur fournit une opportunité de raconter leur histoire à un public international grâce au cinéma.
"Le succès de Reel Lives a été vraiment remarquable", a commenté Isabel Mortara, directrice générale UICC. " Dans un style qui leur est propre, tous les finalistes de la compétition ont montré sur le grand écran le courage face à l’adversité. Nous félicitons tous les films soumis au festival, chacun a défendu l'idée d’honorer l’art de vivre à travers leur propre expérience avec le cancer. "
Les gagnants ont été choisis par un jury comprenant: Ann Steyn, présidente de Reach To Recovery International (RRI) Afrique du Sud; Isabelle Moncada, journaliste et productrice de l’émission sur la santé 36.9 de la Télévision Suisse Romande; Dr. Tezer Kutluk, Président de l'Association turque pour la recherche sur le contrôle du cancer; Cynthia Gelb, spécialiste de communication pour la santé au Center for Disease Control and Prevention, États-Unis; Dr Jeff Dunn, CEO du Cancer Council Queensland, Australie; et Isabel Mortara, directrice générale de l'UICC.
GlaxoSmithKline est le sponsor principal du festival accompagné par PPD Inc., la Loterie Romande, Femina, Le Temps, PharmaNet, ESCA, ASAP, Fondo Anglesio Moroni et le CAC Voltaire.
Pour de plus amples renseignements veuillez visitez le site du festival
(www.reellives.org) ou contacter:
Claudia Durgnat
T: 41 79 507 23 24
E: durgnat@uicc.org
BEST OF THE FEST ($10,000) : Chrigu
Suisse, Jan Gassmann, suisse-allemand, 87 min
Le film raconte l'histoire d'un jeune homme qui avait de grands projets pour son avenir. A l'âge de 21 ans, une tumeur en stade avancé a été découverte au niveau son cou; depuis lors il lutte pour survivre. Le réalisateur Jan Gassmann l’a accompagné avec une caméra et a réussi à réaliser un portrait surprenant de son meilleur ami Christian Ziörjens (Chrigu).
MEILLEUR REPORTAGE ($3,000) : La Vérité sur le cancer (The Truth About Cancer)
États-Unis, Linda Garmon, anglais, 90 min
Lorsque son époux est mort du cancer, la réalisatrice Linda Garmon a voulu savoir pourquoi. En suivant l’histoire de trois autres malades, elle a découvert que la réponse contredisait de manière dramatique la croyance américaine selon laquelle il suffit de lutter fort pour vaincre le cancer.
MEILLEUR TEMOIGNAGE ($1,000) : L’Art de vivre (The Art of Living)
Inde, Sutapa Biswas, hindi, 14 min
Ce film retrace l'histoire de Sambhu Das, un peintre qui a été diagnostiqué avec le cancer du larynx en 1998 et qui a surmonté tous les obstacles pour raconter son histoire. En dépit de contraintes financières et de limitations physiques, Sambhu n’a jamais renoncé à son objectif de réussir sa vocation de peintre. Ce film rend hommage à la force intérieure d’un homme ordinaire.
BEST EDUCATION / ORGANISATION ($1,000): Les Enfants de l’Avenir,
Maroc, Bruno Peyronnet, français, 18 min
Quand un médecin découvre que Mohamad, 11 ans, a une tumeur,
ils se rendent avec sa mère à six à cent kilomètres de leur village dans l'Est du Maroc dans la capitale de Rabat. L'Association
de l'Avenir met alors à leur disposition une place prévue pour les enfants et leurs familles afin de résider au cours du traitement. Même au milieu de moments difficiles, Mohamad et sa mère ont l’occasion de voir l'océan pour la première fois…
Meilleur Message d'intérêt public: ($1,000) Narguilé (Hookah)
Israël, Israël Cancer Association, Hébreu, 30 sec
Un message d’intérêt public stylé propose que d'autres types de fumées, même les plus récréatives, peuvent se révéler tout aussi mortelles.
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FIRST INTERNATIONAL CANCER FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FINALISTS
Global line-up drawn from over 250 entries
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 14 July 2008 – The finalists for Reel Lives: The Cancer Chronicles, the first ever international documentary film competition on cancer, are announced today in a line-up that includes 2007 Oscar winner Freeheld and many other remarkable films from 16 countries worldwide. The finalists were chosen from an impressive group of over 250 entries from 40 countries.
The festival will take place 28-30 August during the World Cancer Congress in Geneva. It is organised by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), the leading international non-governmental organisation dedicated exclusively to global cancer control. The festival aims to raise awareness of the complex realities of cancer globally, to shatter taboos and myths surrounding the disease, and to challenge stigma. Reel Lives pays tribute to those whose lives have been impacted by cancer, and provides them with the opportunity to tell their story to a global audience through the creative medium of film.
“We are delighted with the calibre and variety of entries that we have received for this inaugural festival, and narrowing the finalists down to 33 from over 250 submissions has been more difficult than any of us ever imagined,” says Isabel Mortara, UICC executive director. “Each film relates to the experience of cancer but content and creative execution varies wildly. Many films challenge preconceptions about what it means to live with cancer. They tap into the full range of human emotions, even humour. I have great admiration for anyone who has not only the courage to fight the disease but also to share his or her experience with us on film. These films are nothing less than a celebration of life.”
The programme for the festival will include 15 public service announcements, 10 personal stories, four reportage films, and four educational films. The finalist films are attached.
“The launch of this film festival is significant, especially to anyone who has been touched by cancer,” says Academy Award winner Cynthia Wade, director of the film Freeheld, which tells the story of a dying police officer who fights to transfer her pension to her domestic partner. “The Reel Lives festival brings the world’s attention to what it means to live with cancer and frames its significant social impact around the world.”
The finalists were selected by an international programming committee and will be judged for the competition by a jury panel made up of a cancer survivor, a patient advocate, a cancer organisation representative, a noted oncologist, a communication expert and a health journalist. Monetary prizes will be awarded, with a Grand Prize of US $10,000.
The festival’s lead sponsor is GlaxoSmithKline Oncology. Additional sponsors of the festival include PPD Inc., PharmaNet and The Loterie Romande.
The festival will include opening and closing celebrations and three days of screenings. For more information please visit the festival website: www.reellives.org
Swiss media |
Claudia Durgnat |
T: +41 79 507 23 24 |
US Media |
Jennifer Ryan |
T: + 1 214 378 7778 |
EU Media |
Antoinette Lee |
T: +44 (0)20 7798 9993 |
Finalists
Public Service Announcements
Fashion to Die For (Australia)
To Heal a Child (Brazil)
Tragedias (Mexico)
Shadow (Israel)
Access to Care (USA)
I Beat Cancer (USA)
Any Questions? (Canada)
Basketball (Israel)
Bumblebee (Sweden)
Chips (Israel)
How Long is a String? (Australia)
Hookah (Israel)
Don’t Concede to Eye Cancer (India)
Smoke (Brazil)
Zita (Australia)
Personal Stories
Chrigu (Switzerland)
Transparent Time (Israel)
Breast Cancer Diaries (USA)
Crazy Sexy Cancer (USA)
Run For Life (Switzerland)
Dear Talula (USA)
Freeheld (USA)
The Art of Living (India)
A Gift: 12.5 cm (Taiwan)
Thuy's Dream (Vietnam)
Reportage
Children Fighting Cancer (UK)
La Guerre Contre le Cancer (FR)
The Truth About Cancer (USA)
Kill or Cure (UK)
Educational
Lo Faccio 1000 Volte (Italy)
Les Enfants de L'Avenir (Morocco)
Tropic of Cancer (Croatia)
Emily's Story (USA)
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Lancement du 1er Festival de films documentaires sur le thème du cancer, Reel Lives, Les Chroniques du Cancer.
Genève, le 1er juillet 2008 – Reel Lives: Les Chroniques du Cancer est le premier Festival international sur le cancer et aura lieu du 28 au 30 août prochain à Genève. Le festival a pour objectif de sensibiliser le public au cancer tout en rendant hommage aux personnes touchées par cette maladie. Le programme du Festival traitera de divers aspects de la maladie dont la stigmatisation du cancer, le développement des recherches, le vécu des patients et la politique autour du cancer.
Pour cette première année, le Festival a reçu plus de 250 films de 40 pays différents. Parmi ceux-ci 33 films seront en compétition dont 15 messages d’intérêts public, 10 court et long métrages, 4 reportages et 4 films éducatifs de 16 pays (Angleterre, Australie, Brésil, Canada, Croatie, France, Inde, Israël, Italie, Maroc, Mexique, Suède, Suisse, Taiwan, USA, Vietnam). “Nous sommes extrêmement ravis de la réponse positive reçue pour notre initiative” a déclaré Isabel Mortara, directrice exécutive de l’UICC, la principale organisation non-gouvernementale qui se consacre exclusivement au contrôle du cancer dans le monde entier. “Nous estimons que le Festival aidera le public à mieux comprendre le cancer tout en mettant en lumière les progrès de la lutte contre cette maladie.”
Certains films sont signés par des grands réalisateurs, comme Freeheld réalisés par Cynthia Wade qui a reçu l’Oscar du meilleur court métrage documentaire en 2008 à Hollywood. Ce film retrace la vie d'un lieutenant de police, Laurel Hester, atteinte d'un cancer en phase terminale, qui se bat pour que sa pension soit reversée à sa compagne. Autre film important, Une Année de Sable du réalisateur genevois Eric Liston Grant, qui illustre le combat contre la leucémie de Clara Klaar à travers des images de l’une des épreuves sportives les plus difficiles au monde, le « Marathon des Sables ». « Le fait que mon film – dédié à mon père décédé du cancer – ait été reconnu par Reel Lives, me donne une émotion intense” dit Eric Grant. “Je ne pouvais rêver d'un meilleur cadre pour que mon film se fasse connaître du grand public: un festival dans ma ville d'origine, Genève, consacré à une meilleure compréhension de ce que vivent les personnes souffrantes de cancer.” A cela Claudia Durgnat, directrice du Festival ajoute: “Il est difficile de parler du cancer mais nous comptons sur le language universel du cinéma pour nous aider à briser les tabous”.
Le meilleur film du festival recevra la somme de 10.000 $. Le Jury du Festival est composé de cinq membres dont Isabelle Moncada, Journaliste, co-productrice et présentatrice de l’émission 36.9 sur la Télévision Suisse-romande et sera dirigé par Ann Steyn, survivante du cancer du sein et présidente de Reach to Recovery International, Rondebosch, Afrique du Sud. Reel Lives comprendra aussi des projections de films hors compétition.
Reel Lives aura lieu en parallèle du Congrès International Contre le Cancer 2008 (World Cancer Congress) à Genève et est parrainé par GlaxoSmithKline Oncology et sponsorisé par la Loterie Romande, Femina et Pharmanet.
Pour tout autre renseignement veuillez consulter le site www.reellives.org ou contacter Claudia Durgnat ou Silvia Perel Levin à UICC/Reel Lives Film Festival pour les demandes d’entrevue au +41 22 809 18 22 ou (079) 507 23 24.
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L'UICC est la principale organisation non gouvernementale qui se consacre exclusivement au contrôle du cancer dans le monde entier. Sa vision de l'avenir est celle d'un monde dans lequel le cancer ne serait plus une cause majeure de mortalité pour les générations futures.
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New Film Festival Challenges Cancer Stigma
Top Oncologist on Jury Panel
Geneva, 24 April 2008 - Reel Lives: The Cancer Chronicles Film Festival is the first ever international documentary film competition focused on cancer. It aims to raise awareness of the impact of cancer while also honouring people who have been touched by the disease.
Reel Lives is produced by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 28-30 August. The festival is supported by a grant from GlaxoSmithKline Oncology.
In its inaugural year, the festival has already received more than 100 film entries from around the world, and has just added noted oncologist Dr. Larry Norton to its team of expert judges.
“We are thrilled with the positive response,” says Isabel Mortara, executive director of UICC, the leading international non-governmental organization dedicated exclusively to the global control of cancer. “We believe the festival will help demystify cancer and deepen awareness of cancer as a pressing global health issue, while also highlighting progress in the fight against the disease.”
Films submitted to the competition come from more than 20 countries and are a mixture of features, shorts and public service announcements. Several are by notable directors, including the 2007 Oscar-winning documentary Freeheld by Cynthia Wade, which follows the true story of a dying police officer who fights to transfer her pension to her domestic partner.
Submissions to Reel Lives: The Cancer Chronicles Film Festival will be accepted until 1 May 2008. A panel of cancer community experts and film industry personalities will judge the films and select the winners.
“We are pleased to have Dr. Norton as a judging panel member for the festival,” says Ann Steyn, jury chairperson, president of UICC’s Reach to Recovery International (RRI), and breast cancer survivor. “Dr. Norton is a well-respected oncologist committed to breast cancer research and improved treatments for patients and his perspective will be invaluable to the judging process.”
Dr. Norton is the Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Norton has also served as chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation since its inception in 1993. He was formerly the Chair of the Breast Committee of the National Cancer Institute's Cancer and Leukemia Group B and President of the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO). He was President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology from 2001 to 2002 and was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the National Cancer Advisory Board.
The festival will take place during the 2008 World Cancer Congress in Geneva. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000. Other monetary prizes will also be awarded.
Further information - www.reellives.org
Contacts:
Jennifer Ryan, Tonic Life Comms USA +1 214 378 7778;
Claudia Durgnat, UICC/Reel Lives Film Festival Switzerland +41 79 507 2324
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The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) is the leading international non-governmental organization dedicated exclusively to the global control of cancer. Its vision is of a world where cancer is eliminated as a major life-threatening disease for future generations.
GSK is fully committed to the research and development of innovative oncology products that will make profound differences in the lives of patients with cancer.
Reel Lives: The Cancer Chronicles Film Festival, info-at-reellives.org | Copyright © 2007, Reel Lives Film Festival. All rights reserved.