Joker was on everyone’s lips at this year’s Venice Film Festival and impressed the critics with a daring new take on the iconic villain’s origin story. The jury was equally impressed by this comic book movie and rewarded it with the prestigious Golden Lion prize.
Director Todd Philips delivered an emotional speech after picking up his award, and thanked Warner Bros. and DC “for stepping out of their comfort zone and taking such a bold swing on me and this movie”. He also described the actor Joaquin Phoenix as “the fiercest and brightest and most open-minded lion” he knows and thanked him for trusting him with his “insane talent”.
Joker will make its way to the theaters on October 4th, and it will be shown at the festivals in Toronto and New York in the meantime. In addition to Phoenix, it also stars Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Marc Maron, and Frances Conroy.
Full List of Winners at 2019 Venice Film Festival
Golden Lion
Joker; dir: Todd Phillips
Grand Jury Prize
An Officer And A Spy: dir: Roman
Polanski
Silver Lion, Best Director
Roy Andersson; About Endlessness
Volpi Cup, Best Actress
Ariane Ascaride; Gloria Mundi
Volpi Cup, 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;
dir: Franco Moresco
Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress
Toby Wallace, Babyteeth
HORIZONS
Best Film
Atlantis; dir: Valentyn Vasyanovych
Best Director
Theo Court; Blanco En Blanco
Special Jury Prize
Verdict; dir: Raymund Ribay Guttierez
Best Actress
Marta Nieto; Madre
Best Actor
Sami Bouajila; A Son
Best Screenplay
Jessica Palud, Revenir
Best Short Film
Darling; dir: Saim Sadiq
LION OF THE FUTURE — LUIGI DE LAURENTIIS VENICE AWARD FOR A
DEBUT FILM
You Will Die At 20; dir: Amjad Abu
Alala
VENICE VIRTUAL REALITY
Best VR
The Key; dir: Céline Tricart
Best VR Experience
A Linha; dir: Ricardo Laganaro
Best VR Story
Daughters Of Chibok; dir: Joel Kachi
Benson
VENICE CLASSICS
Best Documentary on Cinema
Babenco; dir: Barbara Paz
Best Restoration
Ecstasy; Gustav Machaty
