Feb 18 (NHK) - A movie by the Japanese director Hikari picked up two awards at the Berlin International Film Festival on Saturday. "37 Seconds" won the Panorama Audience Award and the CICAE Art Cinema Award.
The film centers around a 23-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who forges her own path to sexual awakening and independence while discovering love and forgiveness.
One of the judges says the brilliant young main character, supported by a wonderful cast, leads the audience to a colorful world and a family secret.
Hikari was born in Osaka and now lives in Los Angeles. She says she wanted to create a film based on a true story. She says she would like to continue making movies that are fun to watch and have strong messages.
"Synonyms," by the Israeli director Nadav Lapid, won the Golden Bear award.
The movie is about a young Israeli man who moves to Paris and rejects his native country and language.
