The film 'Woman Unknown' (Woman Unknown), directed by Mil-Touhi, was announced as the Golden Lion winner at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. This film, which tells a story about Denmark after the Nazi occupation, is recognized as the only film directed by a woman in the main competition of this edition. The film focuses on the life of Marie, played by Mathilde Arcel, who suffers from a hidden past with a German soldier on the brink of marrying her wealthy employer.
Double Victory at the Venice Festival
Mathilde Arcel also received the Best Actress award for her performance in this film, making this double victory a rare success for the film. 'Woman Unknown' has successfully captured the attention of audiences and critics, achieving this success at a time when the film world is seeking new and diverse narratives.
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Special Prize for the Documentary 'Naza'
The documentary 'Naza', by Yuval Abram and Rachel Zor from Israel, also received the Special Jury Prize. This documentary examines military strategies in the Gaza war, featuring 24 eyewitness accounts from Israeli soldiers, including intelligence officers and troops, sharing their experiences and perspectives on the war in Gaza. Abram emphasized that this film holds significant importance for Israelis, providing them the opportunity to see the realities of war.
'Naza', which was recently added to the main competition, received a standing ovation for about 25 minutes during its screening, indicating the profound impact of this work on the audience. The film was secretly shot over three years on the rooftops of Tel Aviv and claims to examine the systematic killing of Palestinian civilians.
Other Awards and Honors
The jury also awarded the Silver Prize to Ilya Khrzhanovsky for directing the film 'Dau', which is about Soviet physicists. Khrzhanovsky, who renounced his Russian citizenship due to the war in Ukraine, dedicated this award to Ukrainians, including his mother who was born there. Additionally, the Best Actor award went to John Malkovich for his performance in the dark comedy 'Wild Horse No'. Malkovich expressed surprise and honor for this award in a video message from his filming location in Montreal.
The film 'Wild Horse No' also received a very long standing ovation at the festival, telling the story of two CIA agents traveling to Easter Island. Director Martin McDonagh had previously showcased two other films at this festival and received awards for them.
Furthermore, French director Steven Brize received the screenplay award for the corporate drama 'The Good Soldier'. Also, Mellow Kebizi was recognized as a promising actor for her role in the film '15/18 (A Place for Recovery)', which takes place in a psychiatric hospital for teenagers.
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