This year, the Zurich Film Festival will award director Edward Berger the prestigious Golden Eye A Tribute To…Award, in honor of his life’s work.
Berger, whose 2022 war epic All Quiet on the Western Front He was nominated for 9 Oscars and won 4, and returned to the spotlight this year with his latest feature film, ConclaveThe gripping Vatican drama stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow in a behind-the-scenes thriller about the selection of a new pope after the death of the previous pontiff.
“With Conclave“Edward Berger has successfully created a masterpiece,” said Zurich Film Festival artistic director Christian Jungen. “Edward is a master of the classical style who allows his character actors like Ralph Fiennes to show off their talents and whose directions are entirely intended to serve the story. He is multifaceted, able to navigate a wide range of genres and always manages to find the appropriate style and tone.”
Berger will receive the Golden Eye Award in Zurich on October 6, at the gala premiere of the film Conclave.
Born in Germany to an Austrian father and Swiss mother, Berger made headlines with his 2014 feature film Jackbut it is on the small screen that he first made his mark, with the revelation series Germany 83 AND Patrick Melrose (2018) with Benedict Cumberbatch.
Out of the success of All Quiet on the Western FrontBerger has launched a production label, Nine Hours, with partners Luke Rivett (Corner office, Berlin Station) and Jeanne Tremsal (Goodbye Dad, See you in hell) and signed a first-look deal with production giant Fremantle.
Zurich A tribute to… Award honors directors “who have had a significant impact on the history of cinema with their work.” Previous winners include Wim Wenders, Todd Haynes, Michael Haneke, Paolo Sorrentino and Luca Guadagnino.
The 20th edition of the Zurich Film Festival will take place from 3 to 13 October.