The 2010 Venice International Film Festival Jury, led by Quentin Tarantino, has awarded the top prize to Sofia Coppola's Somewhere. The film centers around a movie star (Stephen Dorff) who is thrown for a loop when his 11-year-old daughter (Elle Fanning) re-enters his life. Coppola is just the fourth American in sixty-seven years to take home the Golden Lion, following John Cassavettes (Gloria), Robert Altman (Shortcuts), and Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler).
Other big winners at the fest include Essential Killing, which netted the Special Jury Prize and Best Actor for Vincent Gallo, plus Mila Kunis, deemed the Best Young Actor or Actress for her work in Black Swan. Hit the jump for the full list.
Reviews of Somewhere have been mostly positive, but mixed. The Golden Lion is good validation for a film I'm excited for. Natalie Portman has been getting all the attention for Black Swan, and I presume she was eligible for the award. Nice to see Kunis, a charming actress, get some recognition. I wonder if the attention will get Balada triste de trompeta (translates to "A Sad Trumpet Ballad") the Spanish comedy a solid release in these parts. I've included a still from the film below which makes me hope for one.
Golden Lion for Best Film:
Somewhere, by Sofia Coppola
Silver Lion for Best Director:
Alex de la Iglesia for Balada triste de trompeta
Special Jury Prize:
Essential Killing by Jerzy Skolimowsky
Coppa Volpi for Best Actor:
Vincent Gallo for Essential Killing
Coppa Volpi for Best Actress:
Ariane Labed for Attenberg
Osella for Best Screenplay:
Alex de la Iglesia for Balada triste de trompeta
Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor or Actress:
Mila Kunis for Black Swan
Osella for Best Cinematography:
Mikhail Krichman for Silent Souls
Special Lion for an Overall Work:
Monte Hellman
European Cinema Award:
The Clink of the Ice
Leoncino d'Oro Prize:
Barney’s Version
Queer Lion for Best Gay Film:
In the Future