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Planet of Snail

Wow, it's great, I'm so excited!

I should have attended It's All True - I've never been to Brazil - but I'm afraid that I couldn't. Even though I am far away from there, I am with you at this moment.

It's almost 10 past 1 AM and I just came back from a Q&A of public screening in Korea, the film was released theatrically 10 days ago here in Korea. I was so tired but after I was informed that Planet of Snail was awarded at It's All True, I almost shouted on the road.

Planet of Snail is about love, empathy, loneliness and special senses to make us feel this world. I hope all the audience took a peaceful rest while watching the film.

I'd like to say 'thank you' to all the partners who have supported this film including my producers, Sundance documentary fund, Cinereach, the Finnish Film Foundation, NHK, YLE, NRK, etc. and also to the staffs and juries of It's All True. I hope Brazilian public audience also have enjoyed traveling 'Planet of Snail'.

The protagonist of the film, who is deaf and blind, used to tell me that what I see could not be what I see. To see what is not to be seen is the important role of 'documentary film', and there are a lot of documentary film makers in this world who're trying to see through camera what is not to be seen. I'd like to share the joy of the award with all of them. Thank you.

Seung-Jun Yi

Olá "It's All True" and Olá Brazil - thank you, thank you, THANK YOU a million times over for this award. To have my film selected to screen at this prestigious festival was reward enough for me. And so to actually WIN is just overwhelming!

Whilst the focus of my film was Argentina, I am well aware that the problems it explores and covers were sadly not unique to Argentina and in fact were widespread across much of South America. 'It's All True' was the South American Premiere for my film. And so this award from this festival is so far the most special for me!

You may or may not know that I am not from Argentina. Actually, I am not even from South America and I do not have any personal connection with the story I chose to document. In fact, I do not even speak Spanish! I am a British-Iranian. However, as a humanist, I was overcome, inspired and moved by the incredible work of the Grandmothers. For me they represent the ultimate modern day heroines - and I wanted to show my respect and to honour them with this film. The Grandmothers mission is two-fold: They will continue searching for all of the missing grandchildren. But they also want to keep alive the "collective memory" of what has happened - because they believe that in doing so, we can be certain to prevent history repeating itself. My film Abuelas is my permeant gift to that collective memory.

This award has made me the happiest person in the world today. Although I cannot be there with you in person, you can be certain I am there in spirit! My thoughts and love are with you all! Obrigado Festival, Obrigado Sao Paulo e Obrigado Brazil!

Afarin Eghbal

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