Rehana by Abdullah Mohammad Saad (Bangladesh), Small, Slow, but Steady by Sho Miyake (Japan), and Happiness by Askar Uzabayev (Kazakhstan) were awarded at the 37th Cinema Jove – Valencia International Film Festival which took place from June 24 to July 2, 2022 in Valencia, Spain.

Rehana directed by Abdullah Mohammad Saad (Bangladesh) received the Luna de Valencia Award for Best Feature Film, and actress Azmeri Haque Badhon received a Jury Mention for her acting in the film. Small, Slow, but Steady directed Sho Miyake (Japan) received a Jury Mention for its Photography (awarded to Yuta Tsukinaga). Happiness (Baqyt) by Askar Uzabayev (Kazakhstan) received a Jury Mention for Yerbolat Alkozha’s acting, a Special Jury Mention, the Audience Award for Best Feature Film, and a Mention of the Young Jury.

Best Feature Film – Luna de Valencia Award

Rehana, an assistant professor at a medical college, struggles to keep the harmony between work and family. One day, she witnesses a student storming out of a professor’s office, crying. Deeply impacted by this event, Rehana’s life starts to spiral out of control just as she receives a complaint from the school about her six-year-old daughter’s unusual behaviour. Rehana refuses to accept the madness of the patriarchal society she lives in and will put everything at stake, in order to find justice for her student and her daughter. (Cinema Jove 2022)

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Jury Mentions

Photography

Keiko, a young pro boxer, was born with a hearing impairment. Boxing is a real challenge for her, but the club she belongs to is like a second home. After winning two difficult fights, a creeping fear begins to grow inside her. The club chairman, the only person who had accepted her as a boxer, is plagued by health issues and is losing his eyesight. Having learned that the gym is about to close for good, a confused Keiko goes on to her third bout. But perhaps the biggest challenge she faces is trying to understand the true nature and strength of her will to fight. (Cinema Jove 2022)

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Interpretation

For her job as an influencer, she wears orange and a broad smile. The “Happiness” brand is her doctrine, but her home is a dark place where brute force has ruled for years. This film shows us what it costs to escape the trap of misogyny. (Cinema Jove 2022)

Trailer:

Address

Audience Award for Best Feature Film

Mention of the Young Jury