Irish writer-director John Carney’s new film ‘Begin Again’ has won an award at the Shanghai International Film Festival. The festival took place from June 14th-22nd. The Greek period drama ‘Little England’ took home the awards for best film, best director (Pantelis Voulgaris) and best actress (Pinelopi Tsilika). The Grand Jury prix was awarded to Chinese film ‘The Uncle Victory’ and the best actor prize went to Thailand’s Vithaya Pansringarm for his role in Tom Waller’s ‘The Last Executioner’.
The musical comedy-drama ‘Begin Again’ competed for the main prize at the festival, the Golden Goblet. Gregg Alexander, the composer of the film, took away the award for outstanding artistic achievement in the music category.
‘Begin Again’ stars Keira Knightley as a singer-songwriter who is out of luck and out of love after being dumped by her musician boyfriend, played by Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. She meets an ex record executive, played by Mark Ruffalo, and the two explore a new relationship through their passion for music.
The latest feature from John Carney, who also wrote and directed the Oscar-winning feature ‘Once’ and will be directing his new feature ‘Sing Street’ this summer, has received rave reviews and secured a number of international deals. It closed the Tribeca Film Festival in April and will open the upcoming Galway Film Fleadh on July 8th
‘Begin Again’ will be released in Irish cinemas on July 11th.
