So how can we be surprised that the Golden Lion went to something I didn't really put much interest into? Aleksandr Sokurov's "Faust" somehow didn't gain my attention, but it got enough passion from the jury to grab the top prize. I guess I may have to check this one out, but my eyebrow hasn't even been raised yet, so no promises. Similarly, the Silver Lion prize went to something I hadn't heard the slightest bit of news on, "Ren shan ren hai". I can make a pretty solid promise I probably won't end up seeing that one, because as much as I go for things off the beaten path, I'm also kind of lazy.
That confusion ridden first response may make it seem like I'm disappointed, but there's enough to be pleased about here. "Alps", from director Yorgos Lanthimos, took the screenplay prize despite his typically brazen subject matter, or perhaps because of it. I suppose what may have repelled others is what benefited from Aronofsky's jury. Cinematography went to "Wuthering Heights", and there's no surprise there. Same goes for Michael Fassbender's Best Actor win, but it certainly got a more favorable response. The rest of the awards are many in number, and far too time consuming, so see those after the jump!
Golden Lion
“Faust”
Silver Lion
“Ren shan ren hai (People Mountain People Sea)”
Vopli Cup (Best Actress)
Michael Fassbender, “Shame”
Volpi Cup (Best Actress)
Deanie Yip, “Tao Jie (A Simple Life)”
Special Jury Prize
“Terrafirma”
Osella for Best Screenplay
“Alps” (Giorgos Lanthimos, Efthymis Filippou)
Best Cinematography
“Wuthering Heights” (Robbie Ryan)
Marcello Mastroianni Award
Shota Sometani, Fumi Nikaido, “Himizu di Sion Sono”
FIPRESCI Award
Best Film, Venezia 68: “Shame”
Best Film, Orizzonti and International Critics’ Week: “Two Years”
