The 2024 Venice Film Festival concluded on Saturday, September 7, leaving us with a rich tapestry of diverse voices and captivating narratives. This year’s edition showcased groundbreaking cinema, touching on global issues and celebrating emerging female directors.
Pedro Almodóvar Wins the Golden Lion
Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language film, The Room Next Door, won the prestigious Golden Lion. Starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, the film tells the story of two friends reconnecting as one battles a terminal illness. Almodóvar blends his signature irony with emotional depth, demonstrating his mastery of storytelling and visual style.
Maura Delpero’s Vermiglio Wins the Grand Jury Prize
The Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Maura Delpero for Vermiglio. Known for her acclaimed film Maternal, Delpero’s latest work is set in a small Italian village during World War II. With the men away at war, the town is left in the hands of the women. At its core, the film revolves around the three daughters of a schoolteacher, weaving a narrative about cruelty, mercy, and the resilience of life during wartime.
Brady Corbet Takes the Silver Lion for The Brutalist
UK indie filmmaker Brady Corbet claimed the Silver Lion for The Brutalist. The film tells the story of a Hungarian architect who survived the Holocaust and is commissioned by a wealthy American to build a structure honoring his mother. At the heart of this powerful tale is the clash between the European artist’s vision and the materialistic desires of his patron.
Best Screenplay Award for I Am Still Here
The Best Screenplay award went to Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega for I Am Still Here, directed by Walter Salles. Set during Brazil’s military dictatorship, the film poignantly portrays a family’s struggle under oppressive rule, impressing the jury with its emotional depth and nuanced character portrayals.
Orizzonti Award for Best Film: The New Year That Never Came
Bogdan Mureșanu’s The New Year That Never Came earned the Orizzonti Award for Best Film. Mureșanu, already celebrated for his award-winning short The Christmas Gift (2018), returns with this powerful drama set during Romania’s 1989 revolution. The film explores the lives of six individuals whose fates intertwine as the Ceaușescu regime crumbles.
Special Jury Prize: April by Dea Kulumbegashvili
Georgian director Dea Kulumbegashvili received the Special Jury Prize for April. Known for her minimalist yet impactful storytelling in Beginning, Kulumbegashvili once again delivers a bold, visually stunning film, this time tackling the sensitive and controversial topic of abortion with unflinching honesty.
Sarah Friedland’s Familiar Touch Wins Double Honors
American filmmaker Sarah Friedland made a remarkable debut with Familiar Touch, which won the Orizzonti Award for Best Director and the Venice Award for Best Debut Film. The film delves into a woman’s life in an assisted living facility, exploring themes of identity and the complex relationships between patients and caregivers.
Best Short Film: Who Loves the Sun by Arshia Shakiba
The Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film was presented to Canadian indie filmmaker Arshia Shakiba for Who Loves the Sun. Set against the backdrop of war-torn northern Syria, the film offers a raw and compelling look at the lives of those running makeshift oil refineries in the harshest of conditions.
This year’s Venice Film Festival will be remembered for its bold storytelling, emotional depth, and celebration of diverse voices from around the world.
