A documentary made by a Colombian film student won the top prize at the 40th annual Student Academy Awards Saturday.
“A Second Chance” was awarded best documentary when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented its winners in the 40th annual student awards in the US.
The documentary of director David Aristizabal tells the story of a Iraq war veteran diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome.
“A Second Chance” explores the issues of returning back to civil life after participating in the Iraq war of veteran Blade Anthony, who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome and decided to get a pet-dog to help him acknowledge his emotional scars.
“We live in a world where unfortunately there are many people suffering,” Aristizabal was quoted as saying by Colombian newspaper El Colombiano. “Giving voice to people who do not have it is very important. For me it is one of the main roles of the film art.”
Regarding his future plans Aristizabal said, “I have always liked social problems. Even my main thesis, in Colombia, I did it on counterfeit money and how society turns a blind eye to it and subsequently legitimizes fake money. Another is a documentary about the importance of football in the prison La Picota.”
The young director who graduated from the National University in Colombia is currently doing a master degree in film and television at the University of Southern California.
Sources
- Future filmmakers feted at Student Academy Awards (Wall Street Journal)