Documentary on war-ravaged South Sudan wins Peace Prize at 64th Berlinale

The documentary 'We Come as Friends' by Austrian director and scriptwriter Hubert Sauper won the Peace Film Prize, one of the independent juries awards, at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival. Sauper depicts the conflict in South Sudan as it claims independence from North Sudan and its president, Omar Al-Bashir. American investors, Chinese oilmen and a variety of missionaries who all hope to see in Sudan what reflects their own aspirations, benefits or socio-political visions, figure in the film. Cultural and economic imperialism emerges in the place of so-called friends, in fact cruel beneficiaries, amid the war-devastated country. The film won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematic Bravery at Sundance Film Festival 2014. The Peace Film Prize is among several independent juries awards, which are given to the best films and filmmakers in parallel to official awards. In its 64th edition, the Berlinale's Golden Bear for Best Film was awarded to Bai Ri Yan Huo (Black Coal, Thin Ice) by Chinese director Diao Yinan. From: Ahram Online