Majid Majidi’s ‘Midday Meal’ wins Busan film festival’s Best Film award
The Iranian director’s film beat 12 other Asian titles in competition and is now eligible for submission to the next international feature Oscar category.
Majid Majidi’s ‘Midday Meal’ won the Best Film award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival’s closing ceremony on Thursday, October 15, at the Busan Cinema Center in South Korea. The result puts the Iranian film in a position to be submitted for the next Best International Feature Oscar.
The Korea Herald reported that ‘Midday Meal’ beat 12 other Asian films in the competition. A seven-member jury led by director Zhang Yimou chose the winners from the 13 competing titles, according to the outlet. Deadline also reported the Best Film result independently.
What the Busan award means for ‘Midday Meal’
The Korea Herald and Deadline reported that the prize makes ‘Midday Meal’ eligible for submission to the next Oscars’ Best International Feature category. That establishes an opportunity to put the film forward; neither report confirms that it has been submitted or nominated.
Deadline describes the film as the story of a schoolteacher trying to keep his school open after the death of a benefactor. Before the award was announced, The Hollywood Reporter described ‘Midday Meal’ as a festival standout and reported that festivalgoers considered it a possible contender for the top prize.
Majidi’s comments at the festival
Majidi said he had considered declining the invitation to Busan because he felt depressed and exhausted and did not want to leave Iran amid the ongoing situation there, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet also reported that he said he had conceived ‘Midday Meal’ before the United States and Israel began their war on Iran in February.
Discussing the film’s depiction of children without enough food, Majidi connected their hardship to international sanctions and said a blockade had made conditions worse, The Hollywood Reporter reported. Those are the director’s account of the circumstances informing the film.
At the closing ceremony, Majidi dedicated the award to his late mother and the people of Iran, according to The Korea Herald. He also expressed hope for a world without war. The ceremony was scheduled to close the festival after its 10-day run.
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Sources and context
- Majid Majidi's 'Midday Meal' wins top prize at Busan film festThe Korea Herald
- Majid Majidi’s ‘Midday Meal’ Wins Busan Best Film Award; Qualifies For Oscars ConsiderationDeadline
- Iranian Filmmaker Majid Majidi Denounces U.S. War as ‘Midday Meal’ Emerges as Busan Fest StandoutThe Hollywood Reporter
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.