The Belarusian film community in exile recently gathered in Berlin to hold the second annual Belarusian Film Critics Awards, known as the Red Heathers. This event serves not only as a celebration of artistic achievements but also as a form of political resistance. Many Belarusians fled the country after the disputed 2020 presidential elections, during which the government led by Aliaksandr Lukashenka started repressing peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators.
At last year’s European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, exiled filmmakers established an independent film academy. Additionally, they formed the Belarusian Film Critics Association with backing from organizations like the German Marshall Fund, Poland’s Trzy Trąby Fund, and the Goethe-Instituts in Exil. The latter is a special branch of the German cultural institution that supports artists and intellectuals from nations where the Goethe Institute had to cease operations due to conflict or political interference.
The Red Heather awards were bestowed upon films produced in both 2021 and 2022. Filmmaker Mikita Lauretski garnered the best feature film award for his work “A Date in Minsk,” a single-take reenactment of his initial date with his former girlfriend, Volha Kavaliova, who had been in an 8-year tumultuous relationship. Both Lauretski and Kavaliova portrayed themselves in this recreation. Lauretski also triumphed in the best director category, while Kavaliova took home the best actress award for her role in Lauretski’s fantasy drama “A Kid’s Flick.”
Another key award recipient was Aliaksei Paluyan, a co-founder of the Belarusian Independent Film Academy, who won the best documentary prize for his film “Courage.” This documentary examined the pro-democracy protests in Belarus and was screened in Berlin in 2021. Paluyan shared this accolade with Sasha Kulak for her documentary essay “Mara,” which premiered in Rotterdam in 2022.
The 2024 Red Heather winners include Mikita Lauretski for Best Director, Volha Kavaliova for Best Actress, Andrei Novik for Best Actor, among others. Some of the other categories recognized were Best Animated Film, Best Production Design, Best Sound Design, and Discovery Of The Year.
For a detailed list of award winners and more information about the Belarusian Film Critics Awards, click on the link provided.