The dream, the pure emotion, the imagination. Cinema returns to breathe deeply and the setting could only be the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival, which has always been the natural stage for actors, actresses and directors from all over the world. The international exhibition took place from 1 to 11 September 2021, organized by the Venice Biennale and directed by Alberto Barbera.
A festival that has been able to hit the mark and hit the primary goal of cinema: arousing reflections, offering suggestions, enchanting. But also to create doubts, to open debates, to intrigue. The topics covered are varied: from war to the social consequences of an oppressed / oppressive state, from “female” films (focusing on the concept of motherhood and the experience of abortion) to films dealing with freedom, violence and family. In short, according to many, the Venice Film Festival 2021 was one of the best editions of recent years.
These are the prizes awarded by the jury, chaired by the Korean director and Oscar-winning screenwriter Bong Joon-ho. The Golden Lion went to gold in “L’ĆvĆ©nement”, a French film directed by Audrey Diwan and based on the autobiographical novel by Annie Ernaux. Italy also had its moments of glory. āIt was the Hand of Godā, a film by Paolo Sorrentino, won the Grand Jury Prize and the Marcello Mastroianni Prize, awarded to the young emerging actor Filippo Scotti. Finally, “Il Buco” by Michelangelo Frammartino was also awarded, which took home the special prize of the jury.
As for the performers, the Volpi Cup for best female interpretation went to Penelope Cruz thanks to Pedro Almodovar’s “Madres Paralelas”, while Filipino John Arcilla received the award for best actor with the film “On the Jog : The Missing 8 “. Finally, a Silver Lion for Jane Campion for the direction of “The Power of The Dog”. To “The Lost Daughter”, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s debut feature, the award for best screenplay.
