THE AMADE AWARD AT THE 51st MONTE-CARLO TELEVISION FESTIVAL

The 51st Monte-Carlo Television Festival held on 6-10 June 2011 in the Grimaldi Forum, with H.S.H. Prince Albert II as Honorary President.

The event gathered TV producers, scriptwriters and actors, being a wonderful opportunity for all television stakeholders to meet and to initiate projects.

Each year, AMADE is proud to award a special prize to a TV program dedicated to a human issue. This year, the Jury decided to highlight the relation between a mother dealing with a handicap and her child, by awarding Threads of our hearts, from Japanese director Mitsuhiro Higashiyama (NHK).

Since he was a child, Akito Nagakura has been the ear and voice of his mother, Reiko. Reiko, who was born deaf, dreams her son will become a professional pianist. Akito is studying to enter a prestigious music college, but he begins to have doubts about his musical talent..

One day, Akito meets Izumi, a deaf girl in a street band. He is attracted to her positive nature but his mother disapproves, fearing Izumi will hinder his success in 'a world with sound'. Reiko insists Akito focus on his piano, but her expectations burden him.

Akito begins to question his mother's attitude towards life as well as his own, when he learns something new about his mother. This heartwarming tale portrays the love of a tight-knit mother and son, and their struggle to grow independent.

The Jury awarded a special mention to Defenseless, directed by René Heisig (Zieglerfilm München GMBH - Germany).

Maria lives illegally in Germany. Constantly she has to be careful not to attract attention. If authorities take notice of her, she would be immediately deported. To be able to work in Germany, she had to leave her children in Honduras.

One day, she is forced to bring her children to Germany. She borrows money from a loan shark and rents a bigger apartment at unacceptable conditions. Without official paperwork she cannot register the children at school, thus forcing her to leave them alone at home while she is working. On top of this, living with the children has become more expensive, forcing her to work even more.

When her girlfriend Sami gets deported, Maria nears a nervous breakdown due to the immense psychological pressure. Maria is about to return to Honduras when Peter, whose apartment she cleans, comes up with a surprising offer.

Members of the Jury were:

• President: Adeline Blondieau
• Francis Kasasa
• Jean Kerwat
• Edwige Laure Mombouli