76TH VENICE FILM FESTIVAL VERDICTS

“Joker” by Todd Phillips won the Golden Lion at the Festival.

One of the cruellest character of comic world conquered Venice Film Festival’s main prize. The rewriting of the personal story of the Batman’s worst enemy by Todd Phillips – as well as Joaquin Phoenix’s interpretation – convinced the Jury chaired by the President Lucrecia Martel. The latter, despite the controversies of the previous days against Roman Polanski, also awarded “J’accuse” by the very Polish – French director with the Gran Jury Prize.

Emmanuelle Seigner, Roman Polanski's wife, withdraws the Gran Jury Prize
Emmanuelle Seigner, Roman Polanski's wife, withdraws the Gran Jury Prize

The Coppa Volpi for Best Actress went indeed to Ariane Ascaride for “Gloria Mundi” by Robert Guédiguian while Best Actor award prized Luca Marinelli for his “Martin Eden” by Pietro Marcello’s interpretation. Toby Wallace – who stars in the film “Babyteeth” by Shannon Murphy – won Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor or Actress.

The Silver Lion for Best Director went to Roy Anderson with his “About Endlessness” while “La Mafia non è più quella di una volta” by Franco Maresco won the Special Jury Prize.

Luca Marinelli won the Coppa Volpi at the 76th Venice Film Festival
Luca Marinelli won the Coppa Volpi at the 76th Venice Film Festival

To end with the main Venice Film Festival awards, the animation movie “No.7 CHERRY LANE” by Yonfan won the Award for Best Screenplay.

Last but not least (but more “niche”) the “Orizzonti” section. The Orizzonti Award for Best Movie went to “Atlantis” by the Ukrainian Valentyn Vasyanovych.