Achero Manyas For its freshness, its original blending of fiction and documentary techniques, its humanistic message and the high quality of all the performances.
Gaรซl Morel For its political risk taking, for its power to disturb, for its portrait of the way protracted war destroys identity and the capacity of trust.
Oxide Pang Chun, Danny Pang Phat This fiercely assured first feature film marks the emergence of not only its twin directors but of their country, Thailand. Beautifully crafted, with a deft eye on the sights and sounds of Bangkok, the film shows a love and appreciation of the poetics of cinema, and of violence.
John Curran For its gritty honesty and its outstanding depiction of two characters rediscovering themselves against the bleakest odds. Tied with West Beyrouth (ร l'abri les enfants) (1998).
Winner
West BeirutWest Beyrouth (ร l'abri les enfants)
Ziad Doueiri For its youthful, energetic and unconventional approach to human values in the midst of civil war and its tragedies. Tied with Praise (1998).
Carine Adler For its daring examination of grief, its intimacy with a young woman tossed between her love and resentment for her dead mother and living sister, and the energetic intensity of its direction.