Story perspectives

‘Fruit Gathering’ Wins Crystal Globe; ‘The Guest’ Gets Jury Prize

7/12/2026

Summary

Aung Phyoe Wins

Aung Phyoe’s “Fruit Gathering” won the Crystal Globe and $25,000.
The Myanmar-Czech-France co-production follows two Yangon factory workers in a queer love story.
The Guest earned the $15,000 Special Jury Prize and Best Director award for Mads Mengel.
Anna Schinz and Ghassan Saad won Best Actress for “A Happy Family” and Best Actor for “Pipes.”
Juliette Binoche, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Richardson each received a Crystal Globe for artistic contribution.

Summary

Aung Phyoe Debuts

Aung Phyoe’s debut feature premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
The film is set in a Myanmar textile factory where same-sex activity is illegal, exposing daily repression.
Nandar Myat Aung (San Kyi) and Nandar Myint Lwin (Theint) portray a fragile friendship strained by labor conditions.
Thaiddhi’s score-less, sun-lit cinematography relies on still frames, while Akari Diraki’s pastel wardrobe subtly signals emerging intimacy.
The film will tour LGBTQ-specific festivals worldwide.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 Ang Lee’s *Brokeback Mountain* captured the Venice Golden Lion and three Academy Awards, showing that a mainstream gay romance could achieve both critical acclaim and a $178 million worldwide box-office. Its success reshaped festival programming, encouraging later awards bodies to spotlight queer stories from regions such as Southeast Asia and inspiring filmmakers.

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Aung Phyoe Wins

Aung Phyoe’s “Fruit Gathering” won the Crystal Globe and $25,000.
The Myanmar-Czech-France co-production follows two Yangon factory workers in a queer love story.
The Guest earned the $15,000 Special Jury Prize and Best Director award for Mads Mengel.
Anna Schinz and Ghassan Saad won Best Actress for “A Happy Family” and Best Actor for “Pipes.”
Juliette Binoche, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Richardson each received a Crystal Globe for artistic contribution.

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