Grand me

“My focus is on Melina and the emotional process she is going through. This process is intrinsically linked to people’s specific cultural and social background. I feel I need to bring Melina’s story, not only because she is so close to me, but also because it’s recognizable for so many people around the world. 

I am happy and relieved that Melina is growing up in a middle-class family. She is well fed, has a nice bed to sleep in and is supported and loved by her kind grandparents. She is not confronted with instantaneous life-threatening dangers, but it can’t be denied that her mental wellbeing is pushed and stretched to an extent that is far too much for a child. When she returns from an occasional stay with her father, traces of physical abuse can be noticed. She won’t talk directly about it, but Melina's pain vibrates without words on the screen. When we talk of child neglect and physical harm, middle class environments seem hardly touched, because it happens very unnoticed behind closed doors. I’m ‘privileged’ to explore such a case evolving right in front of my eyes, without obstacles or veils in between. My family has accepted me as a critical observer.”

“The film we chose to award skilfully materialises the in-between and uncertain space of an ongoing custody battle in which the nine year old Melina is caught between her parents and the consequent disillusioning confrontation with the real, as well as the chasm between the separate realities of Melina, her mother, and her grandparents. The film finds its merit in this intersection, drawing attention to questions of motherhood, transformation, and the notion of belonging, indirectly interrogating the unequal position and rights of women in contemporary Iranian society. The film is ultimately a testament to the resilience of Melina and her grandparents, but also to the inherent imperfection and shortcomings of what it is to be human. The winner is: ‘Grand Me’”
 

14 titles competed for the NEXT:WAVE Award dedicated to emerging international artists and filmmakers. The selection was judged by Sofie Cato Maas (Film critic and editor / co-founder of Outskirts), Wim Vanecker (Programmer & Advisor, Festival de Cannes) as well as Christian Einshøj (director and former Next:Wave Award nominee). The NEXT:WAVE award comes with a cash prize of €5,000 provided by the festival.