Alex Gibney-Produced ‘Mohabat,’ Directed by James Longley, Wins at Ji.hlava: ‘Meticulously Researched and Exquisitely Crafted’
James Longley’s “Mohabat”, produced by Alex Gibney, won the Opus Bonum award at the Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival. The film follows a 12-year-old boy whose father is killed in a drone strike and who is taken to a city orphanage, offering a portrait of his family and community.
The jury praised its research, craft and sympathetic attention to everyday life. Other winners included Brydie O’Connor’s “Barbara Forever” in the Testimonies section and Philipp Fröhlich’s “After the Rehearsal” in First Lights; filmmaker Trinh T. Minh-ha received the festival’s Contribution to World Cinema Award.
In short
- “Mohabat” won Ji.hlava’s Opus Bonum award.
- The film follows a boy after his father dies in a drone strike.
- “Barbara Forever” and “After the Rehearsal” also won awards.
Explained simply
Ji.hlava is an international documentary film festival held in the Czech city of Jihlava. Its Opus Bonum award recognises a film in the festival’s main documentary competition, while other awards focus on different sections and contributions to cinema.
James Longley is a documentary filmmaker, and Alex Gibney is a documentary producer. “Mohabat” centres on a boy and his family after his father is killed in a drone strike, placing their experience within the life of their wider community.