“Nomadland” has received the Golden Lion Award as the best film of the 2020 Venice International Film Festival, a jury headed by Cate Blanchett announced on Saturday.
The Searchlight drama, a simultaneous premiere by the Venice, Telluride and Toronto festivals, was directed by Chloe Zhao and stars Frances McDormand as a woman who travels through the American West in a van after losing her job and her home. Apart from McDormand and David Strathairn, almost all of the actors in the film are actual “nomads” that Zhao cast on her own travels through the area.
“Nuevo Orden” (“New Order”) by Mexican director Michel Franco won the Silver Lion, the festival’s second-place award, while acting prizes went to Vanessa Kirby for “Pieces of a Woman” and Pierfrancesco Favino for “Padrenostro.”
Kiyoshi Kurosawa was named the festival’s best director for “Wife of a Spy.”
Also Read: Fall Film Festivals Struggle for Relevance in the Year of Coronavirus
Ahmad Bahrami’s “The Wasteland” won the award as the best film in the festival’s Orizzonti section, while Ana Rocha de Sousa’s “Listen” won the Orizzonti jury prize and the award as the best first film at the festival.
In the more than 70 years the Venice Film Festival has been in existence, the winner of its top award has only gone on to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture six times — but three of those took place in the last three years, with “The Shape of Water,” “Roma” and “Joker.” Only two films, “The Shape of Water” and Laurence Olivier’s 1948 film version of “Hamlet,” have won the Golden Lion and the Best Picture Oscar.
This year’s Venice Film Festival was scaled down over previous years, with socially-distanced screenings and smaller attendance from outside Europe. Venice was the first major festival to attempt a physical event, after festivals including South by Southwest, Tribeca, Cannes and Karlovy Vary canceled or went completely virtual.
Also Read: ‘Pieces of a Woman’ Film Review: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf Explore Shades of Grief
In addition to Blanchett, the competition jury consisted of actors Matt Dillon and Ludivine Sagnier, writer-directors Veronika Franz, Joanna Hogg and Christian Petzold and writer Nicola Lagioia.
Additional prizes were presented by other juries headed by director Claire Denis, writer-director-musician Claudio Giovannesi and VR storyteller Celine Tricart.
In collateral Venice awards also announced on Saturday, winners included “Pieces of a Woman,” “Notturno,” “The Disciple,” “Nomadland” and “City Hall.”
Also Read: ‘Nomadland’ Film Review: Frances McDormand Hits the Road in Quiet, Lyrical Drama
Here is the full list of jury winners and collateral winners:
JURY AWARDS
Golden Lion for Best Film: “Nomadland,” Chloe Zhao
Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize): “Nuevo Orden” (“New Order”), Michel Franco
Silver Lion for Best Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa, “Wife of a Spy”
Coppa Volpi for Best Actor: Pierfrancesco Favino, “Padrenostro”
Coppa Volpi for Best Actress: Vanessa Kirby, “Pieces of a Woman”
Award for Best Screenplay: Chaitanya Tamhane, “The Disciple”
Special Jury Prize: “Dear Comrades,” Andrei Konchalovsky
Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress: Rouhallah Zamani, “Sun Children”
Orizzonti Award for Best Film: “The Wasteland,” Ahmad Bahrami
Orizzonti Award for Best Director: Lav Diaz, “Genus Pan”
Special Orizzonti Jury Prize: “Listen,” Ana Rocha de Sousa
Orizzonti Award for Best Actor: Yahya Mahayni, “The Man Who Sold His Skin”
Orizzonti Award for Best Actress: Khansa Batma, “Zanka Contact”
Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay: “Pietro Castellitto, “I Predatori”
Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film: “Entre tu y Milagros,” Mariana Saffon
Lion of the Future – “Luigi De Laurentiis” Award for a Debut Film: “Listen,” Ana Rocha de Sousa
Grand Jury Prize for Best VR Immersive Work: “The Hangman at Home: An Immersive Single User Experience,” Michelle & Uri Kranot
Best VR Immersive User Experience: “Finding Pandora X,” Kiira Benzing
Best VR Immersive Story: “Sha Si Da Ming Xing” (“Killing a Superstar”), Fan Fan
COLLATERAL AWARDS
ARCA CinemaGiovani Award
Best Film of Venezia 77: “Pieces of a Woman” by Kornél Mundruczó
Best Italian Film in Venice: “Notturno” by Gianfranco Rosi
Brian Award: “Quo Vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić
Casa Wabi – Mantarraya Award: “Listen,” Ana Rocha de Sousa
Edipo Re Award: “The Man Who Sold His Skin” by Kaouther Ben Hania
Premio Fondazione Fai Persona Lavoro Ambiente: “Dashte Khamoush” (“The Wasteland”) by Ahmad Bahrami
Special Mention (treatment of issues related to environment): “Śniegu Juz Nigdy Nie Bedzie” (“Never Gonna Snow Again”) by Małgorzata Szumowska, codirected: Michał Englert ex aequo with “Kitoboy” (“The Whaler Boy”) by Philipp Yuryev
Special Mention (treatment of issues related to work): “Dorogie Tovarischi!” (“Dear Comrades!”) by Andrei Konchalovsky
Fanheart3 Award
Graffetta d’Oro for Best Film: “Saint-Narcisse” by Bruce LaBruce
Nave d’Argento for Best OTP: “The World to Come” by Mona Fastvold
VR Fan Experience: “Baba Yaga” by Eric Darnell, Mathias Chelebourg
VR Special Mention: “The Metamovie Presents: Alien Rescue” by Jason Moore
FEDIC Award
Best Film: “Miss Marx” by Susanna Nicchiarelli
Special Mention FEDIC: “Assandira” by Salvatore Mereu
Special Mention FEDIC for Best Short Film: “Finis Terrae” by Tommaso Frangini
FIPRESCI Award: “The Disciple” by Chaitanya Tamhane
Best Film from Orizzonti and parallel sections: “Dashte Khamoush (“The Wasteland”) by Ahmad Bahrami
Francesco Pasinetti Award
Best Film: “Le Sorelle Macaluso” by Emma Dante
Best Actor: Alessandro Gassman for the film “Non odiare” by Mauro Mancini
Best Actress: the cast of “Le Sorelle Macaluso”
GdA Director’s Award: “Kitoboy” by Philipp Yuryev
Europa Cinemas Label Award: “Oaza” (“Oasis”) by Ivan Ikić
BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas People’s Choice Award: “200 Meters” by Ameen Nayfeh
HFPA Award
To the filmmakers (directors, producers) from the Orizzonti section awarded for Best Film, Best Director and Special Jury Prize.
Lanterna Magica Award: “Khorshid” (“Sun Children”) by Majid Majidi
Leoncino d’Oro Award: “Nuevo Orden” by Michel Franco
Cinema for UNICEF: “Notturno” by Gianfranco Rosi
Lizzani Award: “Le Sorelle Macaluso” by Emma Dante
Nuovoimaie Talent Award
Best New Young Actor: Luka Zunic
Best New Young Actress: Eleonora de Luca
La Pellicola d’Oro Award
Best Production Manager: Cristian Peritore for the film “Le sorelle Macaluso” by Emma Dante
Best Head of camera and electrical department: Raffaele Alletto for the film “Padrenostro” by Claudio Noce
Best Dressmaker: Paola Seghetti for the film “Miss Marx” by Susanna Nicchiarelli
Queer Lion Award: “The World to Come” by Mona Fastvold
RB Casting Award: Linda Caridi for the film “Lacci” by Daniele Luchetti
Grand Prize Venice International Film Critic’s Week: “Hayaletler” (“Ghosts”) by Azra Deniz Okyay
Verona Film Club Award: “Pohani Dorogy” (“Bad Roads”) by Natalya Vorozhbit
Mario Serandrei: “Topside” by Celine Held and Logan George
Award for Best Short Film SIC@SIC 2020: “J’Ador” by Simone Bozzelli
Award for Best Director SIC@SIC 2020: “Le Mosche” by Edgardo Pistone
Award for Best Technical Contribution SIC@SIC 2020: “Gas Station” by Olga Torrico
SIGNIS Award: “Quo Vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić
Special Mention: “Nomadland” by Chloé Zhao
“Sorriso diverso” Award
Best Italian Film: “No Odiare” by Mauro Mancini ex aequo with “Notturno” by Gianfranco Rosi
Best Foreign Film: “Listen” by Ana Rocha De Sousa ex aequo with “Selva Tragica” by Yulene Olaizola
Il viaggio turismo Enit: “Padrenostro” by Claudio Noce
Premio Soundtrack Stars Award
Best Soundtrack: “Miss Marx” by Susanna Nicchiarelli; music by Gatto Ciliegia contro il Grande Freddo
Lifetime Achievement Award: Giorgio Moroder
musica&cinema Special Price: Diodato
Premio UNIMED: “Quo Vadis, Aida?” by Jasmila Žbanić
Premio Fair Play al Cinema – Vivere da Sportivi: “Nomadland” by Chloé Zhao
Special Mention: “City Hall” by Frederick Wiseman
10 Buzziest Movies for Sale in Toronto, From Idris Elba’s ‘Concrete Cowboy’ to Mark Wahlberg’s ‘Good Joe Bell’ (Photos)
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What the Cannes virtual marketplace proved earlier this year is that even without the in-person meetings, the red carpet galas and all the press hype, there’s still room for a lucrative sales market surrounding these virtual events. While that’s true of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, the hybrid physical and virtual fest is operating on a slimmed-down lineup of movies. And with Oscar eligibility requirements pushed back to 2021, there isn’t the same need for all of these movies to make a splash. That said, we are looking forward to quite a bit at this year’s TIFF, and so are buyers.
Also Read: How the Pandemic Will Shake Up Toronto Film Festival’s (Virtual) Sales Market
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“Bruised”
Halle Berry takes a beating as a washed-up MMA fighter looking to make her redemption fight in “Bruised,” which is also Berry’s directorial debut. The film is set in New Jersey and explores her fight to get back into shape and win back her child. It also stars Adan Canto and Sheila Atim.
Romulus Entertainment/Thunder Road Pictures
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“Concrete Cowboy”
Idris Elba and “Stranger Things'” Caleb McLaughlin play father and son in this family drama from Ricky Staub that draws on the history of Black cowboys in its adaptation of a novel by Greg Neri. McLaughlin is a troubled teen who is sent to live with his quiet, absentee father and is taught to work at his father’s stables. Jharrel Jerome, Byron Bowers, Lorraine Toussaint and Clifford “Method Man” Smith also co-star.
Lee Daniels Entertainment/Tucker Tooley Entertainment
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“Good Joe Bell”
Mark Wahlberg is getting early hype for his performance based on a true story of a father who takes a cross-country trip to honor his son and educate people about the dangers of bullying. The movie flashes back to show Wahlberg’s conflicted and grudging relationship with his son’s homosexuality and how he grows, even as it becomes too late. “Monsters and Men” director Reinaldo Marcus Green directs the film from the writers of “Brokeback Mountain.”
Endeavor Content
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“I Care a Lot”
Rosamund Pike, Eiza González, Dianne West and Peter Dinklage star in this thriller about two women who use loopholes in the legal system to defraud elderly retirees of their family fortunes, only for them to end up angering a crime lord with their latest mark. J Blakeson wrote and directed the film.
Black Bear Pictures
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“MLK/FBI”
This documentary from Oscar nominee Sam Pollard is based on recently unclassified FBI documents and examines the surveillance and harassment the FBI used against Martin Luther King Jr. over years, including how J. Edgar Hoover hoped to discredit him and break his spirit. The film includes a discussion of how filmmaking and historians should use official materials from the FBI and other sources and how those sources color history.
Field of Vision
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“New Order”
Mexican filmmaker Michel Franco’s film first played Venice and is a drama set amid a violent protest in Mexico City. The film draws on sociopolitical themes and the class divide to show how the wealthy unwittingly empower an encroaching military rule in their attempt to keep power.
The Match Factory
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“Penguin Bloom”
Naomi Watts is said to give a stellar performance in this true story based on the life of Sam Bloom, a woman who suffered a traumatic accident who finds an inspiring road to recovery after befriending a magpie bird as her companion. Glendyn Ivin directs the film that also stars Andrew Lincoln, Jacki Weaver and Rachel House.
Getty Images
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“Pieces of a Woman”
Hungarian filmmaker Kornél Mundruczó directs Shia LaBeouf and Vanessa Kirby in this film inspired by ’70s character dramas about a couple expecting a child who winds up grieving over a tragedy in two different ways. Kirby steals the show, but the film also includes a stand-out moment from Ellen Burstyn as Kirby’s mother.
BRON Studios
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“Shadow in the Cloud”
As part of the Midnight Madness section, Chloe Grace Moretz in “Shadow in the Cloud” is like “Alien” on a WWII bomber. Moretz is a fighter pilot on a mission to carry a piece of classified information and is sequestered from her sexist male counterparts but soon discovers a mysterious presence that threatens the safety of everyone aboard. Roseanne Liang directs the film.
Four Knights Films
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“The Water Man”
Another actor making their directorial debut, David Oyelowo’s “The Water Man” is a mythical family film with an homage to the family movies of the 1980s. It’s the story of a man who looks for a mystical creature with the secret to everlasting life in an effort to rescue his ailing mother. Oprah Winfrey executive produces the film that stars Oyelowo alongside Rosario Dawson, Lonnie Chavis, Amiah Miller, Alfred Molina and Maria Bello.
Photo Credit Karen Ballard
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There are still some other movies playing as part of the festival that already have homes, including Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” at Searchlight, Regina King’s “One Night in Miami” at Amazon, the Kate Winslet-Saoirse Ronan drama “Ammonite” (pictured) at Neon, and Dawn Porter’s documentary “The Way I See It” at Focus Features. Amazon Studios also recently acquired director Matthew Heineman’s “The Boy From Medellín” about musician J Balvin.
Neon
