Greece’s Yorgos Lanthimos has claimed the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival for his gothic comedy film, Poor Things. The British-made movie, featuring Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo, captivated audiences with its quirky plot about a woman brought back to life by a deranged doctor who replaces her brain with that of her unborn baby.
The protagonist, Bella Baxter, portrayed brilliantly by Emma Stone, embarks on a surreal journey through a whimsical version of 19th century Europe. Despite having a childlike mind in an adult body, Bella grows increasingly independent and explores her sexuality, unleashing her excitement for self-discovery.
Yorgos Lanthimos, known for his previous films such as The Favourite and The Lobster, praised Emma Stone for her incredible portrayal of the central character, Bella Baxter. Lanthimos acknowledged that Bella’s unique character would not have come to life without Stone’s exceptional talent.
The Venice Film Festival is known to kickstart the awards season and has often featured favorites that later receive recognition at the Oscars. In fact, eight out of the past 11 winners of the Best Director award at Venice have gone on to win the prestigious accolade at the Oscars.
The festival also presented top acting awards to two celebrated American actors. Cailee Spaeny received praise for her role as Elvis Presley’s former wife in the biopic Priscilla, while Peter Sarsgaard was recognized for his performance in the gritty family drama Memory.
Amidst the glamour and accolades, the Silver Lion award went to the enigmatic rural drama Evil Does Not Exist, directed by Japan’s Ryusuke Hamaguchi. It was the only Asian film among the 23 contenders vying for the top prize.
The 11-day Venice Film Festival concluded with a ceremony that marked the end of a spectacular showcase of movies, albeit with significantly fewer stars attending due to an ongoing Hollywood actors‘ strike. The strike, aimed at improving contracts and limiting the use of artificial intelligence, sent shockwaves throughout the industry beyond Hollywood itself.
During the ceremony, Peter Sarsgaard cautioned against the uncontrolled growth of artificial intelligence, expressing concerns regarding the future dominance of machines and the billionaires who own them. He stressed the need to win the ongoing battle, as losing it could have far-reaching consequences for many industries.
Among the other notable winners at the festival was Agnieszka Holland, who received a special Jury’s Award for her impactful film Green Border, which shed light on the plight of migrants trapped on the Polish-Belarus border. Matteo Garrone won the Best Director award for his gripping migrant movie Me Captain, following the journey of two teenagers from Senegal as they aim to reach Europe.
Seydou Sarr, the young star of Me Captain, was recognized as the Best Emerging Actor or Actress. The Best Screenplay award went to Guillermo Calderon and Pablo Larrain for their satirical film, El Conde, which delves into the life of Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet.
The Venice Film Festival not only celebrates outstanding filmmaking but also serves as a platform for exploring pertinent issues and diverse perspectives. This year’s lineup showcased exceptional talent and highlighted compelling stories from around the world.
As the festival came to a close, it left audiences eagerly anticipating the future release of these remarkable films, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the cinematic landscape.
