A family drama takes the festival’s top honor
The Venice International Film Festival awarded its highest prize to Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother. The film, a subtle exploration of family dynamics between adult siblings and their parents, features performances by Adam Driver, Vicky Krieps, and Cate Blanchett.
The win came as a surprise, as the film competed against widely acclaimed titles such as The Voice of Hind Rajab, which received the Silver Lion, and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, which left the ceremony without awards.
Winners’ remarks
Accepting the award, Jarmusch emphasized that filmmaking is not about competition but expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing his work as a “quiet film.” He also reflected on the continuous learning process of directing, referencing filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s view on artistic growth.
The Silver Lion went to Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania for The Voice of Hind Rajab, a docudrama about Gaza that earned a lengthy standing ovation after its premiere. In her acceptance speech, she dedicated the award to medical workers and volunteers operating under extreme conditions.
Other festival highlights
The jury, led by Alexander Payne, recognized several other works. Chinese actress Xin Zhilei won Best Actress for The Sun Rises on Us All, while Italian actor Toni Servillo received Best Actor for his role in La Grazia. Benny Safdie earned Best Director for The Smashing Machine, a biopic starring Dwayne Johnson.
Additional awards included Best Screenplay, Best Documentary, and the Marcello Mastroianni Award, presented to Luna Wedler for her performance in Silent Friend. The event also featured a tribute to the late Giorgio Armani, longtime sponsor of the festival.
Positioning for the awards season
The Venice Film Festival often sets the stage for the international awards season, including the Academy Awards. Several Golden Lion winners and contenders in past editions have gone on to achieve major recognition, reinforcing Venice as a pivotal platform in global cinema.
