Mexican film wins highest honor at DMZ DOCS

“The Tiniest Place,” a debut feature film by Salvador-born Mexican director Tatiana Huezo, received the highest honor ― the White Goose Prize ― in the DMZ Korean International Documentary Festival’s international competition. The third edition of the peace-themed film bash ended on Wednesday.

Taking place in the remote village of Cinquera, El Salvador, “The Tiniest Place” follows the survivors of the country’s 1980-92 civil war. Huezo received 15 million won in prize money.

“Bombay Beach,” an American film by Alma Har’el, won the Speical Jury prize and seven million won. Featuring Bombay Beach, one of the poorest communities in southern California, the film introduces three people who call it home.

For the Korean section, “My Fathter’s House” by director Kang Yu Ga-ram won the best documentary prize and 10 million won. The film features the director’s own father, who eagerly waits for his old apartment ― in the famous Eunma Apartment Complex in Gangnam ― to be redeveloped so he can benefit from its elevated price. Director Lee Jung-ho’s “Goodbye Homerun,” a heartwarming account of a junior baseball team in Wonju, Gangwon Province, won the Best Presentation award, which is given to the most popular film voted by the festival visitors.

“Unforgettable Eyes, Uncomfortable Truth” by Park Ka-young and You Seok-hyun won the best youth documentary prize for its exploration of Korean teen sex and relationships.

Celebrating the themes of peace, life and communication, the third DMZ DOCS was held from Sept. 22 to Sept. 28 in Paju, Gyeonggi Province ― a South Korean border city. The festival screened some 100 documentary films from 30 countries this year.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)