Rose Byrne Wins Best Actress at Sitges Film Festival for "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You"
Acclaimed actress Rose Byrne, known for her roles in "Spy" and "Bridesmaids," has clinched the Best Actress award at the prestigious Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia. This award was bestowed upon her for her captivating performance in Mary Bronstein’s film, "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You," which recently concluded its 58th edition on October 19.
Variety’s Peter Debruge praised the A24 release, describing it as “a virtuosic portrait of mental unraveling” that effectively captures an end-of-the-world sensation on an intimate scale. Byrne’s performance has been hailed as “feverish” and “raw-nerve,” marking it as one of the standout performances of the year.
Major Awards Highlighted at Sitges Film Festival
The festival also celebrated Norway’s Emilie Blichfeldt, whose film "The Ugly Stepsister" won the Best Feature Film award. This twisted take on the classic "Cinderella" story features a stepsister named Elvira who goes to extreme lengths to meet the kingdom’s beauty standards. Variety lauded the film as a “deliciously extreme” rendition, complete with gruesome elements reflective of the Brothers Grimm.
In another notable achievement, South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook received the Best Director Award for his dark comedy thriller "No Other Choice," adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s crime novel, "The Ax."
The entire cast of "The Plague," directed by newcomer Charlie Polinger, shared the Best Actor award. This psychological drama tells the story of a socially awkward 12-year-old facing relentless bullying at a boys’ water polo camp.
Special Mentions and Awards
The Special Jury Award, a significant recognition at the festival, was awarded to "The Furious," directed by Tanigaki Kenji, which features a remarkable ensemble of Asian action talent. This award was shared with "Obsession," a low-budget horror film directed by YouTube sensation Curry Barker, which also garnered the coveted People’s Choice Award after being picked up by Focus Features for $14 million.
"The Ugly Stepsister" made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival’s Midnight Strand, while "The Furious" and "Obsession" premiered at Toronto’s Midnight Madness, highlighting the growing trend of genre films becoming prominent attractions at major festivals.
Latin American Talent Recognized
The Sitges Film Festival continues to shine a light on Latin American talent, with Mexican director Emilio Portes receiving the prestigious Blood Window prize for his suspenseful drama "Don’t Leave the Kids Alone." Portes expressed his joy at returning to Sitges after previously screening his film "Belzebuth" in 2017, stating that winning the Blood Window Award is a "sweet nightmare come true."
Pablo Guisa, founder and CEO of Morbido Group, emphasized the importance of recognizing Latin American talent in both genre-specific and mainstream festivals, stating that this recognition is a significant win for Latin horror.
In addition to "Don’t Leave the Kids Alone," "The Virgin of the Quarry Lake," a collaborative production from Argentina, Spain, and Mexico directed by Laura Casabé, took home the Best Cinematography award, further showcasing the growing influence of Latin American cinema.
Complete List of Official Competition Winners:
- Best Feature Film: "The Ugly Stepsister," Emilie Blichfeldt
- Special Jury Award (ex aequo): "The Furious," Kenji Tanigaki; "Obsession," Curry Barker
- Best Director: Park Chan-wook, "No Other Choice"
- Best Actress: Rose Byrne, "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You"
- Best Actor: The entire cast of "The Plague"
- Best Screenplay: "A Useful Ghost," Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke
- Best Cinematography: Diego Tenorio, "La Virgen de la Tosquera"
- Best Music: Yasutaka Nakata & Shouhei Amimori, "Exit 8"
- Best Special, Visual or Makeup Effects: Tenille Shockey & François Dagenais, "Honey Bunch"
The Sitges Film Festival ran from October 9 to 19, solidifying its reputation as a vital platform for genre cinema and emerging filmmakers.
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