Grand Jury Prize Goes to True Story from Gaza Strip
Korean Film's First Competition Entry in 13 Years Ends in Disappointment
Director Jim Jarmusch's "Father Mother Sister Brother" has won the Golden Lion Award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. "No Other Choice," directed by Park Chanwook and highly anticipated due to critical acclaim, ended up leaving empty-handed.
"Father Mother Sister Brother" received the highest honor, the Golden Lion Award, at the awards ceremony held on the 6th (local time) at the Palazzo del Cinema on Lido Island, Venice, Italy. The film, structured as a trilogy, depicts parents who feel distant from their adult children. Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps starred in the leading roles.
Appearing on stage in a purple suit, Director Jarmusch emphasized, "Art does not need to deal directly with politics to be political," and added, "Creating empathy and connection among people is the first step toward solving problems." He continued, "Director Akira Kurosawa once said during his lifetime, 'I'm still afraid because I don't know how to direct,' and I, too, feel a similar emotion as I continue to learn."
The Grand Jury Prize went to "The Voice of Hind Rajab" directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. This film is based on the true story of a six-year-old girl who faced tragedy while fleeing the Gaza Strip in Palestine to escape gunfire. The vivid depiction of the horrors of war moved the audience to a standing ovation lasting over 20 minutes after the screening.
The Best Director Award was given to Benny Safdie for "The Smashing Machine," a film about early UFC fighter Mark Kerr, starring Dwayne Johnson. The Special Jury Prize went to the documentary "Under the Clouds" by Gianfranco Rosi, while the Best Screenplay Award was won by Val?rie Donzelli and Gilles Marchand for "A Pied d'Oeuvre."
The Best Actor Award went to Toni Servillo for "La Grazia," and the Best Actress Award was given to Shin Zuri for "The Sun Above Our Heads." The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Director Werner Herzog, who directed "Aguirre, the Wrath of God," and to actress Kim Novak, who starred in "Vertigo."
"No Other Choice," the first Korean film to compete in the main competition in 13 years since Kim Kiduk's "Pieta," was not called in any category. However, Director Park said, "The audience response has been better than for any other film I have made, so it already feels like I have received a major award."
Attendees at the ceremony also observed a moment of remembrance for Giorgio Armani, the legendary figure in Italian fashion, who passed away on the 4th. Architect Carlo Ratti said, "I am grateful to Armani for teaching us that creativity lies at the intersection of different fields, such as fashion, film, art, and architecture." Armani Beauty has long been a major sponsor of the Venice Film Festival.
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