At the 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival, Sarah's Key directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner received double Awards; Award for Best Director and Audience Award. Also POST CARD directed by Kaneto Shindo is awarded for Special Jury Prize!


■Competition Section Special Jury Prize: POST CARD

Kaneto Shindo (director): In 1950, I established my own production. I had no money at first and it was hard work gathering money. But I kept my head high and looked ahead. The next moment, I was 98. This is my last film so I wanted to say what I really wanted to convey to the world. Some people tell me that this award might inspire me to make another film, but this is it. But the encouragement I received throughout the years had kept me going and you need that encouragement. A lot of energy and money is necessary to make a film. Making films is a wonderful job.


■Competition Section Award for Best Director & Audience Award: Gilles Paquet-Brenner / Sarah's Key

Gilles Paquet-Brenner: I am surprised that I got the Audience Award. I saw a lot of people crying when they were watching my film. It's good to cry to let your emotions go from time to time. There a are a lot of Sarahs today. There are also a lot of conflicts and we care but in a way, don't really care. But we are all connected in the world, so I want to tell the young people to 'care'. If you don't take action now, it'll come back to you quicker than you think. Getting the Best Director Award is really a very big honor and it really satisfies my ego! I really hope to shoot films when I am as old as Mr. Shindo.