SOCIAL HYGIENE (Hygiène Sociale), the new film by acclaimed filmmaker Denis Côté has been awarded at the 71° Berlinale. Côté won the award for Best Director in the Encounters section, ex-aequo with Ramon Zürcher for "Das Mädchen und die Spinne".

Jury statement:

“The film shows incredible agility in mixing different tones, film historical references and diverse, wonderfully verbose characters, topped off with a delicate yet hearty humour that is something very needed right now.”

Official Synopsis:

Hedonistic philosopher-cum-delinquent, Antonin always finds the right word to win himself both the compliments and the rebukes of his fellows. Antonin never misses a chance to exploit both the goodness and the patience of his wife, Églantine. He is also a constant source of disappointment to his sister, Solveig. Busy trying to avoid Rose the tax collector who is after his neck, Antonin cannot get his attraction and desire for the beautiful Cassiopée out of his skull. Tormented, Antonin must now devise the right scheme and the right words to apologize to Aurore, one of his victims. Between these five women, Antonin gets stuck.

--->Click here to access the press materials for the film