‘Sister Brother Manhole Cover’ wins top prize at Tokyo Film Festival

Milcho Manchevski’s film ‘Sister Brother Manhole Cover’ won the Tokyo Grand Prix at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival, Variety reported. The film is a comic allegory about two siblings who collect scrap metal in Skopje.

The story follows Viktor and Malina, who make a living stealing manhole covers and copper busts, and face challenges when a bronze bust falls on Viktor’s foot, according to Variety.

Lisandro Alonso won Best Director for ‘Double Freedom,’ while Hu Ling and Narita Ryo received acting awards, Deadline reported. Sun Xun’s animated feature ‘Magic Atlas’ won the Special Jury Prize.

The jury president praised ‘Sister Brother Manhole Cover’ for its humanity, compassion, and balance of touching and playful elements, Variety noted. The prize included a cash award of approximately $19,000.

The film is a co-production among North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Italy, and the U.K. Producer Jane Kortoshev and the lead actors accepted the award on behalf of Manchevski, who had already left Tokyo, Variety added.