Todd Phillips and his film, "Joker", the origin story of Batman's long-time nemesis, was the unexpected winner for the top prize of the Golden Lion at the 2019 Venice Film Festival. This comic-book drama was enthusiastically praised during it's world premiere screening and Joaquin Phoenix's mesmerizing turn as the infamous super-villian was also singled out.
Another surprise was the selection of Roman Polanski's latest, "J'accuse (An Officer and a Spy)" for the Grand Jury Prize. It was already extremely controversial that he was even in the competition and for the eighty-six year old filmmaker to win the runner-up prize was certainly making a statement about separating the art from the artist. I'm sure it must also mean that this fact-based film about a 19th century French officer of Jewish descent is falsely accused of passing military secrets to the Germans is quite exceptional and now maybe has a better opportunity to be released in the United States.
Here is a list of the winners from the 76th Annual Venice Film Festival:
Golden Lion: "Joker"
Grand Jury Prize: "J'accuse (An Officer And A Spy)"
Silver Lion for Best Director: Roy Andersson, "Om det oändliga (About Endlessness)"
Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Ariane Ascaride, "Gloria Mundi"
Volpi Cup for Best Actor: Luca Marinelli, "Martin Eden"
Best Screenplay: Yonfan, "No. 7 Cherry Lane"
Special Jury Prize: "La Mafia Non E Più Quello Di Una Volta"
Marcello Mastroianni Award for for Best New Young Actor or Actress: Toby Wallace, "Babyteeth"
Horizons Best Film: "Atlantis"
Horizons Best Director: Theo Court, "Blanco En Blanco"
Horizons Special Jury Prize: "Verdict"
Horizons Best Actress: Marta Nieto, "Madre"
Horizons Best Actor: Sami Bouajila, "A Son"
Horizons Best Screenplay: Jessica Palud, "Revenir"
Horizons Best Short Film: "Darling"
Lion of The Future - Luigi De Laurentiis Venice Award For a Debut Film: "You Will Die At 20"
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