The Winners of the 2023 Venice Film Festival
From Poor Things to Evil Does Not Exist and Priscilla – Who won the 80th edition of the Biennale?
The 2023 Venice Film Festival was not off to an easy start. Set in the midst of the WGA and SAG strikes, which saw writers and actors advocating for better wages and working conditions, it significantly impacted the festival’s usual star-studded atmosphere. Luca Guadagnino’s tennis drama ‘Challengers’ was originally set to open it, before being pulled out of the line-up when it became clear that the cast would not be in attendance. Despite the absence of actors, as much of the onscreen talent were standing in solidarity with members of their guild, directors like Michael Mann, David Fincher, Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay, Wes Anderson, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Richard Linklater and Sofia Coppola all made sure to be there to present their respective outings.
Golden Lion – Poor Things
On Saturday, the Venice Film Festival crowned ‘Poor Things’ with its Golden Lion.
Director Yorgos Lanthimos, a regular at the festival, reaches new heights here with this modern take on a female Frankenstein off to discover the world. As some already describe this film as Lanthimos’ best to date, it also sets Emma Stone up on the road to awards glory, with many citing her standout performance as the film’s heart and soul.
Stone, who also produced the film, undergoes a sentimental and sexual awakening as the vibrant Bella Baxter. In his acceptance speech, Lanthimos referred to Bella as “an incredible creature who would not exist without Emma Stone, another incredible creature.” The film is ultimately an engaging piece of entertainment and a smart commentary on how societal norms impact women.
Silver Lion – Evil Does Not Exist
The Silver Lion Grand Jury prize went to Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s ’Evil Does Not Exist’. This comes after the triumph and four Oscar nominations (including one win) for his last outing ‘Drive My Car’.
This made-in-secret eco-poem was met with an 8-minutes standing ovation in the Sala Grande.
Volpi Cup – Cailee Spaeny
Another winner of the festival was Sofia Coppola’s ’Priscilla’. As all eyes were on Cailee Spaeny when the young actress was awarded with the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her portrayal of the titular Elvis’ lover in the upcoming biographical drama.
The Best Actor award was brought home by Peter Sarsgaard for his performance in Michel Franco’s ’Memory’ opposite Jessica Chastain.
Other standouts
Michael Mann’s ’Ferrari,’ the first film to screen in the main competition, also gathered positive reviews overall for Adam Driver’s portrayal of the titular automaker and Penélope Cruz as his troubled wife.
Other acclaimed entries included Pablo Larraín’s dictatorial vampire drama ‘El Conde,’ awarded with Best Screenplay, Nikolaj Arcel’s ’The Promised Land’ starring Mads Mikkelsen and Bertrand Bonello’s genre-bending drama ‘The Beast’ with Léa Seydoux and George MacKay.
Find out about the full list of winners below:
2023 Venice Film Festival Winners
Golden Lion: “Poor Things” (Yorgos Lanthimos)
Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize: “Evil Does Not Exist” (Ryusuke Hamaguchi)
Silver Lion for Best Director: Matteo Garrone, “Io Capitano”
Special Jury Prize: “Green Border” (Agnieszka Holland)
Best Screenplay: “El Conde” (Guillermo Calderón, Pablo Larraín)
Best Actress: Cailee Spaeny, “Priscilla”
Best Actor: Peter Sarsgaard, “Memory”
Marcello Mastroianni Best Young Actor Award: Seydou Sarr, “Io Capitano”
Orizzonti Best Film: “Explanation for Everything” (Gábor Reisz)
Orizzonti Best Director: Mika Gustafson, “Paradise Is Burning”
Orizzonti Special Jury Prize: “Una Sterminata Domenica” (Alain Parroni)
Orizzonti Best Actress: Margarita Rosa de Francisco, “El Paraiso”
Orizzonti Best Actor: Tergel Bold-Erdene, “City of Wind”
Orizzonti Best Screenplay: “El Paraiso” (Enrico Maria Artale)
Orizzonti Best Short Film: “A Short Trip” (Erenik Beqiri)
Lion of the Future Award for a Debut Film: “Love Is a Gun” (Lee Hong-Chi)
Orizzonti Extra Audience Award — “Felicita” (Micaela Ramazzotti)
Venice Classics — Best Documentary: “Thank You Very Much” (Alex Braverman)
Venice Classics — Best Restored Film: “Moving” (Shinji Somai)
Venice Immersive Grand Prize: “Songs for a Passerby” (Celine Daemen)
Venice Immersive Achievement Prize: “Empereur” (Marion Burger, Ilan Cohen)
Venice Immersive Special Jury Prize: “Flow” (Adriaan Lokman)
Written by Alex L.