Jury Statement (Conny Beißler, Andaç Karabeyoglu, Adriana Berroterán):

In the summer heat of a small Andalusian village, young Elías explores his sexuality. Drawn to the imagery of Jesus and the martyrs, he aspires to be like them. To feel closer to God, he develops increasingly masochistic tendencies.

Zoe Dumas’ exceptional cinematography in The Martyr masterfully combines artistry and technical precision. The flawless light continuity and fluid camera movements immerse the audience seamlessly into the story. Dumas demonstrates a profound understanding of the characters, their inner worlds and their surroundings. The film’s religious context and its impact on the protagonist’s psyche are portrayed with great respect for the natural atmosphere, maintaining a cohesive visual style throughout. The collaboration between director Alejandro Mathé and cinematographer Zoe Dumas is remarkable, creating a symbiotic cinematic language that propels the film forward. Dumas’ mature and empathetic approach ensures that the camera never dominates but reveals just enough for the audience to follow the main character’s strong emotions and the story’s dramatic arc. Her work is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant, leaving us eager to witness her future endeavors.

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