Directed by the visionary Jim Jarmusch, "Father Mother Sister Brother" clinched the prestigious Golden Lion for Best Film at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on Saturday. The accolade was bestowed by a distinguished competition jury helmed by the renowned director Alexander Payne. The film intricately weaves three poignant narratives, each centering on different families and spotlighting the complex dynamics between adult siblings and their parents.
"Art doesn't necessarily need to tackle politics head-on to carry a political message," Jarmusch reflected. "It can foster empathy and a sense of connection among us, which is truly the first and most crucial step." He also extended his heartfelt gratitude for the appreciation showered upon "our quiet film." A poignant moment ensued as an audience member passionately shouted, "We love you, Jim!"
Each storyline in "Father Mother Sister Brother," penned by Jarmusch himself, delves into distinct familial relationships: a brother (Adam Driver) and sister (Mayim Bialik) paying a visit to their aging father (Tom Waits); two sisters (Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps) reconnecting with their novelist mother (Charlotte Rampling); and twins (Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat) grappling with the legacy of their late parents' apartment.
The 21 feature films in the competition often mirrored real-world tensions, such as "The Voice of Hind Rajab," Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama that chronicles the harrowing ordeal of a Palestinian girl trapped in a car under Israeli military fire, and the desperate efforts of emergency phone dispatchers to rescue her. This well-received film, which incorporates actual emergency call recordings, secured the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize.
During the awards ceremony, prize recipients eloquently voiced their support for Palestinians in Gaza and condemned the atrocities of war. Just last Saturday, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators converged on the Lido, the picturesque island hosting the festival.
This year's edition continued the festival's tradition of attracting stellar casts, including Julia Roberts, Emma Stone, Oscar Isaac, George Clooney, Colman Domingo, Dwayne Johnson, Willem Dafoe, Chloë Sevigny, Jude Law, Amanda Seyfried, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Jesse Plemons, Emily Blunt, Lee Byung-hun, and Jacob Elordi.
The festival kicked off with Paolo Sorrentino’s "La Grazia," a bittersweet tragicomedy centered around an Italian president nearing the end of his term. Other standout films included "A House of Dynamite," "Frankenstein," "No Other Choice," "Jay Kelly," "The Wizard of the Kremlin," "Dead Man’s Wire," "After the Hunt," "The Testament of Ann Lee," "Cover-Up," "In the Hand of Dante," and "Bugonia."
The Silver Lion for Best Director was awarded to Benny Safdie for "The Smashing Machine," a compelling portrait of mixed-martial-arts champion Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson). The Special Jury Prize went to "Below the Clouds," a striking black-and-white exploration of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, directed by Gianfranco Rosi, one of the few documentarians to have claimed the Golden Lion.
The Volpi Cup for Best Actor was bestowed upon Toni Servillo for his portrayal of the Italian president in "La Grazia," marking another collaboration with Sorrentino. The Best Actress award was given to Xin Zhilei, who shines as a woman reconnecting with a former lover in Cai Shangjun’s "The Sun Rises on Us All." Luna Wedler garnered the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Outstanding Emerging Actor for her compelling performance in Ildiko Enyedi’s "Silent Friend."
The Best Screenplay Prize was awarded to director Valérie Donzelli and her co-writer, Gilles Marchand, for "At Work," a poignant tale about a photographer turned writer struggling to stay afloat.
The Lion of the Future Prize for Best Debut Feature went to "Short Summer," directed by Nastia Korkia, which chronicles a child's coming-of-age amidst wartime Russia. In the Orizzonti section, another competitive slate of the festival, "On the Road," directed by David Pablos, secured the top award for its story about a drifter and a trucker forging an unexpected bond. Maryam Touzani’s "Calle Malaga" received the Armani Beauty Audience Award, preceded by a standing ovation for the late Giorgio Armani, who passed away on September 4.
This year's Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement were presented to Kim Novak, the iconic star of "Vertigo," and Werner Herzog, whose documentary "Ghost Elephants" was screened at the festival. The Glory to the Filmmaker Award went to Julian Schnabel, whose new film, "In the Hand of Dante," was showcased out of competition. Additionally, the Campari Passion for Film Award was conferred upon Gus Van Sant, who directed "Dead Man’s Wire," also featured out of competition.
