Laura Mora’s “The Kings of the World” Named Best Feature at Zurich Film Festival

Laura Mora is celebrating a golden moment…

The Colombian director’s drama The Kings of the World has won the Golden Eye for best feature film at the Zurich Film Festival.

Laura MoraThe award follows hot on the heels of the film’s triumph at the San Sebastian Film Festival exactly a week ago, where it world premiered and then won the Golden Shell for best film.

The drama follows five street kids from Medellin who set off on a dangerous trip into the Colombian hinterland, after one of them is granted the right to a piece of land taken from his family by paramilitaries, during the country’s 52-year conflict which displaced more than five million people.

The Kings of the World was produced by producer and director Cristina Gallego, whose credits include Birds of Passage and the Oscar-nominated The Embrace Of The Serpent.

The film also previously screened to professionals as part of the TIFF Industry Select line-up and heads to the Chicago Film Festival in October.

Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi headed up the Feature Film Competition jury, which also included Swiss director Petra Volpe, producer Daniel Dreifuss, Swedish producer Peter Gustafsson and U.K. director Clio Barnard.

“The movie was one of the first films we saw and it left us with unforgettable images and scenes,” read their jury statement.

The Kings of the World is meticulously crafted and brings us close to the young protagonists who fight for freedom and dignity. The lyrical film language infuses the harsh reality with a metaphysical dimension. It’s an important and powerful story about the marginalized in society.”

Daniel Brühl Named Jury President at Zurich Film Festival

Daniel Brühl is headed to Switzerland…

The 43-year-old half-Spanish German actor will preside over this year’s Zurich Film Festival Feature Film Competition jury.

Daniel Brühl

The Rush star will be joined by director Stéphanie Chuat, producer Andrea Cornwell, and former Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick.

“The Zurich Film Festival, taking place now for the 17th time, presents the most beautiful discoveries every autumn, as well as the most anticipated films of the year. It is a great honour for me to judge the competition entries this year as Jury President together with other colleagues, and I thank Christian Jungen and Elke Mayer for their trust. I am looking forward to ten exciting days of cinema,” said Brühl.

His performance in Rush earned him several award nominations, including the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Daniel Bruhl to Make Directorial Debut on German-Language Dark Comedy “Next Door”

Daniel Bruhl is pulling double duty on his next project…

The 41-year-old half-Spanish actor is set to star and make his directing debut in the German-language dark comedy Next Door.

Daniel Brühl

Bruhl’s own production company Amusement Park Filmsis behind the project, with Warner Bros. Germanypart-financing and taking German-speaking territories.

Amusement Park co-founder Malte Grunertrevealed the news during a panel at the Zurich Summit, which takes place as part of the Zurich Film Festival.

Shooting is expected to begin in Berlin next spring. The film is a two-hander with Bruhl and another actor, who is currently being cast. Financing is now being completed.

Exact plot details are being kept under-wraps but the film will explore the subjects of gentrification and social inequality in Berlin.

Bruhl is best known for his roles in Good Bye Lenin! and as racing driver Niki Laudain Rush.