On the evening of September 9, local time, the 80th Venice Film Festival came to an end. The main competition jury, led by American director Damian Chazelle, finally awarded the Golden Lion Award for Best Film to "Pity" directed by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone. Poor Things.
On September 9, 2023 local time, in Venice, Italy, at the 80th Venice Film Festival, Yorgos Lanthimos (left) won the Golden Lion Award for "Poor Things". Visual China Map
The 50-year-old Lanthimos is a regular on the honor lists of the three major European film festivals. It can be said that any film shortlisted will definitely win an award. His last feature film "The Favorite" won the Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival in 2018, "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" in 2017 won the Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes Film Festival, and "The Lobster" in 2015 won the The Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and the 2011 "Alps" won the Best Screenplay Award at the Venice Film Festival. However, this is the first time that it has won the highest honor of the three major European film festivals.
"Poor Things" poster
"Poor Thing" is adapted from the novel of the same name by Scottish writer Alasdair Grey, which tells the story of a heterochromatic version of Frankenstein. Frankenstein, played by Emma Stone, has the brain of her unborn child implanted in her brain under the guidance of a scientist played by Willem Dafoe. It is worth mentioning that Emma Stone has collaborated with this year’s jury president Damian Chazelle in “La La Land”. However, there should be no rumors that Chazelle awards nepotism. Since the film premiered in Venice, its reputation has been outstanding. There are currently 46 film reviews on the film review website "Rotten Tomatoes", with a freshness rating of 98%. The award is highly anticipated.
"Poor Things" stills
When Lanthimos gave a speech on stage, he especially thanked the film's star Emma Stone. Since the Screen Actors Guild is currently on strike, and "Poor Thing" is produced by Searchlight Pictures, a subsidiary of Disney, the actors in the film, including Emma Stone, are unable to come to Venice to participate in the film's promotional activities. . Lanthimos also expressed the hope that the strike between the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild can be resolved satisfactorily as soon as possible. It is reported that the film will be released in North America on December 8. Referring to the trajectory of Golden Lion Award-winning works in recent years, "Poor Thing" is bound to have great potential in the upcoming awards season.
"Evil Does Not Exist" won the Silver Lion, the Grand Jury Prize, and director Ryusuke Hamaguchi came on stage to accept the award.
"Evil Does Not Exist" poster
The Jury Prize, second only to the Golden Lion, was won by Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi for "Evil Does Not Exist". The film tells the story of the conflicts caused by the construction of a camping base in a quiet mountain village. Hamaguchi Ryusuke's previous work "Accident and Imagination" won the Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival, and "Drive My Car" won the Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes Film Festival. This award also marks that he has won three major European film festivals.
Italian director Matteo Garroni won the Silver Lion for Best Director for the film "I Am the Captain".
In addition, Italian director Matteo Garroni won the Best Director Award for his refugee-themed work "I Am the Captain"; a comedy directed by Pablo Larraín that portrayed Chilean dictator Pinochet as a vampire The work "The Vampire Count" won the Best Screenplay Award (Guillermo Calderon and Pablo Larraín).
"I am the Captain" stills
Both acting awards were won by American actors: Peter Sarsgaard, star of "Memory", and Carly Spaeny, star of the biopic "Priscilla," won the best actor and actress awards respectively. Both films were produced by independent film companies, so the actors received union exemptions and were able to come to Venice to promote the films. These two are undoubtedly popular candidates for acting awards in the upcoming awards season. In addition, Jessica Chastain, the heroine of "Memory", Emma Stone, who gave a bold performance in "Poor Thing", and Caleb, the star of Luc Besson's new work "Dogman" The performance of actors such as Landry Jones has also won praise from the outside world.
On September 9, 2023 local time, in Venice, Italy, at the 80th Venice Film Festival, Best Actor Peter Sarsgaard held the trophy.
On September 9, 2023 local time, Venice, Italy, the 80th Venice Film Festival won the Best Actress Carly Spaeny.
In addition to Best Actress, the only female filmmaker to win an award this time is veteran Polish director Agnieszka Holland. Her new refugee-themed film "Green Border" won the Special Jury Award. This undoubtedly represents the Venice Film Festival's strong support for Holland, who is currently facing criticism from Polish political circles.
Li Hongqi won the Best Director's Debut in the Future Lions category for "Love is a Gun"
Although no Chinese-language films were shortlisted for the main competition this year, Chinese-language filmmakers did not miss this Venice Film Festival. In addition to Shu Qi, who serves as a judge, and Tony Leung, who received the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement a few days ago, Li Hongqi's "Love Is a Gun", which he acted and directed, won the Best Director's Debut in the Future Lions category.
[List of winners of the main competition unit]
Best Picture: "Poor Thing" Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Jury Prize: "Evil Does Not Exist" Director: Hamaguchi Ryusuke
Special Jury Prize: "The Green Border" Director: Agnieszka Holland
Best Director: Matteo Garroni, "I Am the Captain"
Best Actress: Cailee Spaeny, "Priscilla"
Best Actor: Peter Sarsgaard, "Memory"
Best Screenplay: Guillermo Calderon, Pablo Larraín, "The Vampire Count"
Best Newcomer: Seydoux Sarr, "I Am the Captain"
