Jim Jarmusch Scoops the Coveted Golden Lion for “Father Mother Sister Brother”
Flashes, applause, speeches swinging between poetry and politics: Venice closed in a burst of glamour and drama. On stage, the Golden Lion went to Jim Jarmusch for “Father Mother Sister Brother”, a trio of stories about family, brought to life by a cast that reads like a cheat sheet for cinema gods – Blanchett, Driver, Waits, Rampling. Soon after, the Jury handed the Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize to “The Voice of Hind Rajab” by Kaouther Ben Hania, a heartrending tribute to Gaza, dedicated to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Benny Safdie grabbed the Silver Lion for Best Director with “The Smashing Machine”, a biopic on MMA champion Mark Kerr, while Toni Servillo finally lifted his Volpi Cup for “La Grazia” by Paolo Sorrentino, delivering a speech part manifesto, part heartfelt salute to the Flotilla volunteers risking everything in Palestine. Best Actress went to Xin Zhilei for “Ri Gua Zhong Tian”, the Special Jury Prize to Gianfranco Rosi’s “Below the Clouds”, and Best Screenplay to Valerie Donzelli and Gilles Marchand for “À pied d’œuvre”. The Marcello Mastroianni Award went to Luna Wedler for “Silent Friend”, and Orizzonti shone a spotlight on the future: Benedetta Porcaroli for “The Kidnapping of Arabella” and Giacomo Covi for “Un anno di scuola”, proof that Italian youth cinema refuses to sit quietly.
But before the trophies, there was the red carpet, the true Venice ritual. A parade of light, style, and carefully measured gestures, turning the Lido into a temporary Saint-Germain. Stars, jurors, even director Alberto Barbera greeting the crowd like it was his final bow, all reminding us that Venice isn’t just a festival: it’s theater, fashion, and chaos stitched into one.
Finally, the standing ovation for Giorgio Armani. Carlo Ratti praised him as a model of creativity and discipline, showing that in Venice, fashion and cinema are two sides of the same coin: one you wear, the other you watch, both endlessly admired. Between flashes, awards, couture, and applause, it’s clear: Venice never really ends. It just shifts the stage, lowers the curtain, and starts the show again.
Text: Germano D’Acquisto
Photos: Ludovica Arcero
