Tokyo — Milcho Manchevski’s ‘Sister Brother Manhole Cover’ Wins Top Prize at Tokyo Film Festival
Milcho Manchevski’s “Sister Brother Manhole Cover,” a comedy about two siblings who make a living stealing scrap metal from the streets of Skopje, has received the Tokyo Grand Prix at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival, which concluded Wednesday.
The award was presented by a jury led by Rolf de Heer and carries a cash prize of JPY3 million ($19,000). It marks the first fiction feature from Manchevski since “Kaymak.” The story centers on Victor and Marina, who steal manhole covers and copper busts for a living. Their circumstances take a dramatic turn when a stolen bronze bust of a national hero falls onto Victor’s foot, sending the siblings into the depths of North Macedonia’s capital. The production is a collaboration between North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Italy and the U.K.
The Special Jury Prize, accompanied by JPY500,000 ($3,200), was awarded to Sun Xun’s Singaporean animated feature “Magic Atlas.” The Chinese-born artist spent approximately a decade developing the film, which follows an orphan who inherits a magician’s book and uses it to retrieve memories concealed by an authoritarian empire. Its visual approach transitions between ink-wash painting and medieval European engraving.
Lisandro Alonso took the Best Director award for “Double Freedom,” described by the festival as a continuation of sorts of his 2001 debut, “La Libertad.” The film follows a reclusive woodcutter living in the forest whose routine is disrupted when he must accommodate his sister after the psychiatric facility where she resides shuts down. The directing, acting and artistic contribution awards each carry JPY300,000 ($1,900).
Japanese filmmakers and performers secured recognition in the main competition’s acting categories. Narita Ryo received Best Actor for his performance in Mishima Yukiko’s “Two Cigarettes, Three Nights.” He portrays a longtime friend who reconnects with a Kyoto illustrator struggling to advance her career, played by Matsuoka Mayu. Their relationship develops over three nights in three different cities.
Hu Ling won Best Actress for her role in “The Night That Binds Us,” the feature debut of Wang Jiangyong. She portrays a bereaved dormitory manager in Shanghai who develops feelings for a younger student after his parents are arrested on suspicion of fraud.
Jelena Maksimović’s debut feature, “Until the Day Ends,” received the Best Artistic Contribution award. Set during Serbia’s 2024 protests, the film follows a student activist and a young supporter of the government as they travel together.
The Audience Award, which does not include a monetary prize, went to Teodora Ana Mihai’s “Heysel 85.” The film depicts the 1985 disaster at a stadium in Brussels, where violence among football supporters ahead of the European Cup final resulted in 39 deaths.
De Heer was joined on the main competition jury by producers Alex Lo and Oh Jungwan, actor Watanabe Makiko and colorist Yov Moor.
In the Asian Future competition, Tareq Daoud’s Swiss-Turkish production “Serife Tavsan” was named Best Film, earning JPY1 million ($6,300). Its story follows a woman in her 70s who, following the death of her husband, decides to pursue her own happiness. Her children disapprove of her changing lifestyle and new friendships.
A Special Mention in the same section went to Ariani Darmawan’s Indonesian film “Jani Be Good.” Taking place over the four days leading up to Christmas, the story centers on a girl whose relationship with her single mother becomes strained after her older sister moves out.
Tanaka Miki’s debut “Silver Express” won Best Film in the Nippon Cinema Now section, receiving JPY500,000 ($3,200). The film explores the connection between a young woman who has never experienced romantic attraction and a man who shares the same outlook.
Matsumura Shingo’s “Between Us” received the section’s Special Jury Prize, along with JPY300,000 ($1,900). It follows two former child performers who reunite in their high school drama club six years after a family camping trip caused their separation.
Isabelle Stever’s “I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming” received the TIFF Ethical Film Award and JPY200,000 ($1,300). The jury for the award was chaired by actor Isomura Hayato. Inspired by a true story, the film depicts a queer Ukrainian couple caught in the country when Russia launches its invasion. One partner had recently completed the legal process of changing his gender marker, leaving him unable to depart because of military-service regulations.
At the Asian Students’ Film Conference, which showcases short films produced by students at film schools throughout Asia, Nguyen Vu Hien Chi’s “Running Wild in the Sun” took the Best Film award and JPY300,000 ($1,900).
The Special Jury Prize was shared by Nah Yi-chen’s “Everything’s Peachy” and Kim Nam-hyeon’s “All of Her.” Each recipient will receive JPY100,000 ($630).
The Kurosawa Akira Award, which provides JPY1 million ($6,300) to each recipient, was presented to O Mipo and Mohammad Rasoulof.
Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was honored with the Global Cinema Leadership Special Award.
The Tokyo International Film Festival took place from Oct. 26–Nov. 4.
Full List of Winners:
Tokyo Grand Prix / The Governor of Tokyo Award
“Sister Brother Manhole Cover,” directed by Milcho Manchevski
Special Jury Prize
“Magic Atlas,” directed by Sun Xun
Best Director
Lisandro Alonso, “Double Freedom”
Best Actress
Hu Ling, “The Night That Binds Us”
Best Actor
Narita Ryo, “Two Cigarettes, Three Nights”
Best Artistic Contribution
“Until the Day Ends,” directed by Jelena Maksimović
Audience Award
“Heysel 85,” directed by Teodora Ana Mihai
Asian Future Best Film
“Serife Tavsan,” directed by Tareq Daoud
Asian Future Special Mention
“Jani Be Good,” directed by Ariani Darmawan
Nippon Cinema Now Best Film
“Silver Express,” directed by Tanaka Miki
Nippon Cinema Now Special Jury Prize
“Between Us,” directed by Matsumura Shingo
Asian Students’ Film Conference Best Film
“Running Wild in the Sun,” directed by Nguyen Vu Hien Chi
Asian Students’ Film Conference Special Jury Prize
“Everything’s Peachy,” directed by Nah Yi-chen
“All of Her,” directed by Kim Nam-hyeon
Kurosawa Akira Award
O Mipo
Mohammad Rasoulof
TIFF Ethical Film Award
“I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming,” directed by Isabelle Stever
Global Cinema Leadership Special Award
Bill Kramer, CEO, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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