Geneva - (AFP) - "Regra 34" ("Rule 34"), directed by Brazilian director Julia Murat, won the Golden Leopard Award for Best Film on Saturday at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.

The film, which had its world premiere in Locarno, tells the story of a law student named Simone who is concerned about violence against women in her country. In parallel with her discussion of this topic at the university, she is active in her private life as a "Cam Girl" via the Internet, as she participates in conversations during which she displays her charms and portrays herself in sexual positions in exchange for a fee.

The director admitted that she was surprised to be awarded the award, explaining that the film "deals with a very difficult topic." "So I never expected the film to have more than one supporting jury member," she said.

The film's title refers to the so-called 34th rule of the Internet that everything on the Internet has a porn equivalent, and the work proposes how to maintain a balance between desire, freedom and protection, both for individuals and for society, especially in Brazil.

"+Regra 34+ (...) is a bold and political film that is supposed to leave a mark," said the artistic director of the Locarno Festival, Giona Nazzaro.

He believed that this award is "important for a cinematic industry such as the Brazilian one, which constituted important milestones in the history of world cinema," noting that this cinema "is at the forefront of defending the idea of a more inclusive and freer world."

Some criticized the film for its excessive violence.

This film is the third feature film by Julia Morat, 42, who is the younger sister of the famous Brazilian director and activist, Lucia Murat.

The Locarno Film Festival jury also awarded three prizes to the film "Tengo Suenios Electricus" ("I Have Electric Dreams") by Costa Rican director Valentina Morel.

The film won Best Director, Best Actress (Daniela Marin Navarro) and Best Actor (Reynaldo Amiens Gutierrez).