Award of Merit – “En Garde!” (Latvia)

Title: En Garde!
Runtime: 12 min
Country: Latvia 
Director: Daniels Joffe
Placement: Award of Merit
Competition: June, 2018

Synopsis: Ten years old Arthur is an aspiring fencer, looking up to his older brother, a successful athlete, his role model for inspiration. He depends on his brother’s advice; he longs to spar with him, even though he is doomed to lose.

But the reality he must face is that of highly competitive sport and his brother’s premature death. How does a little boy, overwhelmed with fear, see through the loss of an important adult? Through hard work, dedication and forgiveness.

This is a touching coming of age story set against the background of visually stunning footage of classical fencing.