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The Werner Herzog Foundation has revealed that Canadian filmmaker Harley Chamandy will receive the 2024 Werner Herzog Film Prize for his feature “Allen Sunshine.” The annual award, presented in collaboration with the Munich Film Museum, comes with a €5,000 ($5,445) prize.
“Allen Sunshine” follows a former music mogul who retreats to a secluded lake house after his famous wife’s suicide. The protagonist copes with his loss by composing electronic music and forming an unlikely bond with two local boys. His journey through grief is punctuated by encounters that remind him of his past and future.
The film debuted at the Munich Film Festival in June. Chamandy previously directed several shorts and made his feature debut with “Allen Sunshine.”
Herzog, in a statement, praised Chamandy’s work: “The Werner Herzog Foundation Prize in 2024 will go to Harley Chamandy for his film ‘Allen Sunshine.’ One of the foundation’s tasks is to promote young talent, and it is remarkable that Harley Chamandy took part in my first workshop for young filmmakers in Cuba when he was just 17 years old. At the age of 21, he made his subtle film, which has been awarded here.”
The foundation’s prize criteria include innovation, courage, and initiative. Herzog added, “Harley Chamandy has demonstrated all of these. He already has his own voice. I congratulate him.”
Chamandy told Variety: “This is the ultimate award for me. To be recognized for my debut feature film, by one of the most legendary filmmakers of all time is a true dream come true. Werner’s work has inspired me since I was a teenager. He’s one of my biggest inspirations of all time and I am truly humbled.”
The award ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 6 at the Film Museum, where Herzog will present the prize and engage in a post-screening discussion with Chamandy.
The Werner Herzog Film Prize is open to feature films, documentaries, filmmakers, actors and individuals of any nationality who demonstrate courage, determination and vision in their work. Past winners include Asghar Farhadi’s “A Hero,” Natalija Yefimkina’s “Garage People,” Chloé Zhao’s “The Rider” and Rezo Gigineishvili’s “Patient #1.”
Watch the trailer for “Allen Sunshine” here:
