Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, has obtained the FIPRESCI Grand Prix after having been chosen film of the year 2024 by the members of FIPRESCI, the International Federation of Film Critics. The vote had the participation of 791 film critics all over the world, who have chosen this British production from among all of the films premiered after 1 July 2023.
The other four finalists were Nu astepta prea mult de la sfârsitul lumii / Do not Expect Too Much from The End of the World, by Radu Jade, Aku Wa Sonzai Shinai / Evil Does Not Exist by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Perlak, 2023), All of Us Strangers, by Andrew Haigh and Daney anjir maabed / The Seed of the Sacred Fig, by Mohamad Rasoulof (Perlak, 2024).
Poor Things had its premiere in 2023 at the Venice Festival, where it carried off the Golden Lion for Best Film. The award marked the start of a brilliant international career that has seen it harvest laurels including two Golden Globes and five BAFTAs, in addition to eleven nominations and four awards at the Oscars, amongst which was Actress in a Leading Role going to Emma Stone.
The FIPRESCI Grand Prix will be presented on 20 September at the opening gala of the 72nd San Sebastian Festival. The winning film will screen on the same day at a time to be announced on 9 September.
Since its creation in 1999, the FIPRESCI Grand Prix has gone to outstanding moviemakers including Maren Ade, Pedro Almodóvar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Alfonso Cuarón, Jean-Luc Godard, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Michael Haneke, Aki Kaurismäki, Richard Linklater, Terrence Malick, George Miller, Cristian Mungiu and Chloé Zhao.
Bella Baxter is a young girl brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter. Under Baxter's protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she lacks, Bella escapes with Duncan Wedderburn, a sophisticated and wicked lawyer, on a dizzying adventure across continents. Free from the prejudices of her time, Bella becomes steadfast in her determination to stand up for equality and liberation. The film is based on the book of the same name by Alasdair Gray.