Here are the best films of 7th RAFF, by jury’s choice. Jury members were art director of “Movies that Matter” festival Margje de Koning, actor Goran Bogdan, and film producer Vanja Jambrović. Here are their remarks.

 

BEST FICTION FILM

EAGLES OF THE REPUBLIC, Director Tarik Saleh

The award for best Fiction at the RAFF FilmFestival goes to a film that interweaves stardom, political influence, personal desires together in an intriguing script. In the world we live in, films where journalism, artistic values are challenged on a massive scale, this film will contribute to helping realizing over and over again how important the freedom of speech and by that the freedom of artistic creators is beyond necessary to society sharp! The last film in his trilogy director Tarik Saleh portrays the film industry in Cairo and per moment the stronger and scarier influence of politics into the filmscript. Brilliantly acted, playing out as a good Shakespeare story, we were totally agreeing on giving the RAFF 2025 award to: EAGLES OF THE REPUBLIC

BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM

PROPAGANDIST, director: Luuk Bouwman

This documentary is a staggering, perceptive analysis of important questions and reflections on the heritage of the second world war that is relevant to this day. Based on the skillfull interview made in the 60-ies with a man who is often reffered as “Dutch Leni Riefenstahl” – Jan Teunissen – a filmmaker and a perpetator, a mastermind of Nazi propaganda made in the Netherlands during the second world war, who shows no responsibility for his actions in the interview that stands as a backbone of the film. This interview combined with rarely seen home made family archive film footage from the first half of 20th century and with propaganda films that he produced during the war – makes this film a unique portrait of a war criminal with no remorse. The film also indirectly asks all the contemporary artists of today’s world – how should we all act when we are faced with the dictatorship and fascism around us?

Jury also points up to following distinguished films:

FICTION – SPECIAL MENTION

DEAF by director Evan Libertad 

The jury was unanimous in the decision to give a special mention to a film that touches upon the issue of hearing impairments – a topic that’s not often addressed, but is so extremely important. The actress Miriam Garlo portrays her role in such a powerful and touching way, nearly never portrayed in film that the audience is invited to dive into her world that makes hearing people realize what it means to raise a child in a so-called hearing world. The challenges, the isolation, the incredible directing, the sound scape – it all adds up to a very important and strong film. Congrats to the whole team.

DOCUMENTARY – SPECIAL MENTION

PEACEMAKER, director: Ivan Ramljak 

The film Peacemaker is strong and impactful in the way it raises the question of the  fragility of peace and the price paid by those striving to keep it. The director manages to combine an intimate human story with universal political and ethical dilemmas, creating an atmosphere that deeply engages the audience.

Because it was so brave in addressing a topic that goes beyond the local framework, because it opens a space for a universal conversation about peace, responsibility and truth – the film Peacemaker is deserving of the Special Mention Award of the Rab Film Festival Jury.