For her latest documentary Favoriten, Ruth Beckermann spent three years following a class of pupils, from the ages of seven to ten, and their devoted teacher at a large, “at risk” primary school in an ethnically diverse, traditionally working-class district in Vienna. We get to know the children as individuals as we experience their daily adventures, struggles, defeats and victories in this microcosm of contemporary western European society: a society struggling with issues of identity and migration. But above all, Favoriten is an ode to childhood and education that builds on Beckermann’s trademark style of asking probing, important questions in an observational way, inviting the audience to navigate their own way through complex topics.

Awards:

Peace Film Award – Berlin International Film Festival 2024 (Germany)

Golden Firebird Award in the Documentary Competition – Hong Kong International Film Festival 2024 (China)