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Question

Which of the following filmmakers won the award for best documentary at the 74 th Cannes Film Festival (2021) for the film 'A Night of Knowing Nothing'?

This question was previously asked in
SSC Selection Post 2021 Question Paper (09-Feb-2022) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

Payal Kapadia

Understanding the Question: Cannes Film Festival Documentary Award 2021

The question asks about the filmmaker who received the award for the best documentary film at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, held in 2021, for their work titled 'A Night of Knowing Nothing'. This specific award for documentaries at Cannes is known as the 'Oeil d'or' or 'Golden Eye'. We need to identify the director of this acclaimed film.

Identifying the Award-Winning Filmmaker

The 74th Cannes Film Festival, held in July 2021, recognized various films and filmmakers for their excellence. Among the awarded films was the documentary 'A Night of Knowing Nothing', which garnered significant international attention. The prestigious Oeil d'or award for Best Documentary was presented to the director of this film.

Research and film records indicate that the film 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' was directed by an Indian filmmaker. This film is known for its unique narrative style, blending fiction and reality through letters written by a student to her estranged lover.

Analysing the Options

Let's look at the provided options:

  • Muzaffar Ali: Known for directing films like 'Umrao Jaan'. While a respected filmmaker, he is not associated with winning the Best Documentary award at Cannes in 2021 for 'A Night of Knowing Nothing'.
  • Payal Kapadia: An Indian filmmaker and artist. Her work 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' indeed premiered and won the Oeil d'or (Golden Eye) award for Best Documentary at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
  • Kombai Anwar: This name is not widely recognized in connection with major international film awards like the Cannes documentary prize.
  • G Aravindan: A highly respected late Indian filmmaker known for his parallel cinema works. He is not associated with the 2021 Cannes awards.

Based on the analysis, Payal Kapadia is the filmmaker who directed 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' and won the Best Documentary award at the 74th Cannes Film Festival in 2021.

Filmmaker Associated Film / Work Cannes 2021 Documentary Award
Muzaffar Ali 'Umrao Jaan', etc. No
Payal Kapadia 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' Yes (Oeil d'or)
Kombai Anwar Not applicable to this award No
G Aravindan Parallel Cinema works No

Conclusion

The award for the best documentary, the Oeil d'or, at the 74th Cannes Film Festival in 2021 for the film 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' was awarded to Payal Kapadia.

Revision Table: Cannes Film Festival 2021 Documentary Award

Detail Information
Film Title A Night of Knowing Nothing
Award Best Documentary (Oeil d'or / Golden Eye)
Film Festival 74th Cannes Film Festival
Year 2021
Winning Filmmaker Payal Kapadia

Additional Information: Payal Kapadia and the Oeil d'or

Payal Kapadia is an alumna of the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII). Her documentary 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' received critical acclaim for its innovative form and powerful exploration of themes like love, separation, and political unrest in India. The Oeil d'or award is given to the best documentary presented across all sections of the Cannes Film Festival (Official Selection, Directors' Fortnight, Critics' Week). Winning this award is a significant recognition on the global stage for documentary filmmaking.

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