Mexican Jorge Perez Solorzano’s “Perpetual Sadness” (La Tirisia) was named the best film at the 55th Thessaloniki International Film Festival and scooped the Golden Alexander. The film beat competition from another 13 films that competed in this year’s international competition section.

“La Tiricia” is set in a remote Mexican village and deals with stoicism and sadness shared by the women in the village that need to deal with the departure of their sons in search of work.

“I wasn’t expecting it, even though the film was well received in previous screenings. It got good reviews. People came to me. For me, to be in a festival like this is an award in itself. To receive this prize is more than I expected,” said Mr. Solano.

Israeli director Asaf Korman’s “Next to Her” (At li layla) received the Silver Alexander and the Bronze Alexander, the Sepcial Jury Award for Originality and Innovation was awarded to Bulgarian duo, Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov’s “The Lesson” (Urok) that is loosely based on a real-life incident about a schoolteacher slowly driven to the edge by crushing debt.