Award for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival goes to Jim Jarmusch's latest production
The 82nd Venice International Film Festival, one of the most prestigious in the world alongside the Cannes Film Festival, concluded with a series of notable awards.
In a significant win, the Grand Jury Prize, the second most important prize of the festival, went to Kaouther Ben Hania's film, "The Voice of Hind Rajab." The film tells the heart-wrenching story of the last moments in the life of Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in the Gaza Strip. Notably, the film was produced by Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix.
The Silver Lion for Best Direction was also awarded to Benny Safdie for his film "The Smashing Machine." Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Emily Blunt star in this compelling drama. Safdie's win marks a double triumph for him, as "The Smashing Machine" also took home the Silver Lion for Best Film.
Jim Jarmusch, known for his thought-provoking films, wore a pin saying "Enough" on his lapel during the award ceremony, a reference to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The pin was a silent protest against the ongoing tension in the region.
The awards were presented by an international jury, chaired by American director Alexander Payne. Other notable winners include Italian actor Toni Servillo, who won Best Actor for his role in "La Grazia" by Paolo Sorrentino, and Chinese actress Xin Zhilei, who won Best Actress for her role in "The Sun Rises On Us All" by Cai Shangjun.
Swiss actress Luna Wedler won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actress for her role in "Silent Friend" by Ildikó Enyedi. French duo Vallée Donzelli and Gilles Marchand won Best Screenplay with "À pied d'œuvre."
The awards ceremony was not without controversy. Kaouther Ben Hania repeated her accusation that Israel is committing genocide, a claim denied by the Israeli military. Israel and the German government have rejected this accusation. In response, Ben Hania dedicated the award for "The Voice of Hind Rajab" to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa delivered a message at the end of the awards ceremony, speaking of a "climate of increasingly strong hatred between the Jewish and Palestinian populations."
Jim Jarmusch's film, "Father Mother Sister Brother," won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 2021. This year's festival saw 21 films competing for the top prizes.
Jarmusch's latest film, "The Human Flow," explores complex relationships between adult children and their parents, often using silence and subtle observations. The film stars Cate Blanchett, Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Charlotte Rampling, and Vicky Krieps.
Amidst the celebrations, Jim Jarmusch and Kaouther Ben Hania's silent protests served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing conflicts that continue to shape the world.
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