Latin America shone brighlty at the 72nd Venice Film Festival: two South American films, Venezuela’s From Afar (Desde Alla) took the top prize, the Golden Lion, with Argentina’s The Clan (El Clan) following close behind with the Silver Lion for best director for Pablo Trapero. In the Horizons’ section, Brazil’s Neon Bull (Boi Neon) received the Special Jury Prize. It was the first time a Latin American film won Venice, and the first time Venezuela had an entry at the festival. To complete the string of “firsts”, From Afar director Lorenzo Vigas’ first picture.
At the press conference following the awards ceremony, jury president Alfonso Cuarón dismissed the assumption that he somehow influenced the jury: “I have as much sway as the King or Queen of Sweden. My role is more representative than anything else. Even if I had wanted (to support Latin America) it would have been a bigger conspiracy and I would have had to share the money.”
Of all the prestige pictures premiering on the Lido, Cary Fukunaga’s Beasts of No Nation was the only one contemplated with a prize – the Marcello Mastroiannu Awards for Best Young Actor or Actress went to its young star, Abraham Attah. Charlie Kauffman and Duke Johnson’s stop-motion existential dramedy Anomalisa won the Grand Jury Prize.
France’s L’Hermine won two awards: best actor, Fabrice Luchini, and best screenplay, writer-director Christian Vincent. Valeria Golino received the Best Actress prize for director Giuseppe Gaudino’s Per Amor Vostro. Turkey’s Frenzy (Abluka) received the Special Jury Prize. Here’s the complete list of winners:
Golden Lion:
From Afar, Lorenzo Vigas
Silver Lion, Best Director:
Pablo Trapero, The Clan
Grand Jury Prize:
Anomalisa, dirs: Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson
Volpi Cup, Best Actor:
Fabrice Luchini, L’Hermine
Volpi Cup, Best Actress:
Valeria Golino, Per Amor Vostro
Marcello Mastroianni Award for for Best New Young Actor or Actress:
Abraham Attah, Beasts of No Nation
Best Screenplay:
Christian Vincent, L’Hermine
Special Jury Prize:
Frenzy, dir: Emin Alper
VENICE HORIZONS
Best Film:
Free in Deed, dir: Jake Mahaffy
Best Director:
Brady Corbet, The Childhood of a Leader
Special Jury Prize:
Neon Bull, dir: Gabriel Mascaro
Special Prize for Best Actor or Actress:
Dominique Leborne, Tempête
Best Short Film:
Belladonna, dir: Dubravka Turic
Lion of the Future – “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film:
The Childhood of a Leader, dir: Brady Corbet
VENICE CLASSICS
Best Documentary on Cinema:
The 1000 Eyes of Dr Maddin, dir: Yves Montmayeur
Best Restoration:
Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, dir: Pier Paolo Pasolini

Ana Maria Bahiana