Danish drama "Woman Unknown" directed by May el-Toukhy won the Golden Lion at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on Saturday. The film, set in Denmark after the Nazi occupation follows a nanny hiding a secret past relationship with a German soldier as she prepares to marry her wealthy employer. El-Toukhy becomes only the eighth woman to win the festival's top prize.
John Malkovich won best actor for his role in the CIA comedy "Wild Horse Nine." Unable to attend, he sent a video message from Montreal, calling the honor humbling. Mathilde Arcel the star of "Woman Unknown" won best actress in her first-ever lead role and festival appearance also describing herself as deeply honored.
South Korean director Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love," his first film in eight years since "Burning" won the Silver Lion grand jury prize. Lee said the film explores fading human connection in an era where labor's meaning is shifting.
A special jury prize went to "NAZA" a documentary by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor examining military strategies in the Gaza war which received a 25-minute standing ovation after its premiere.
Ilya Krzhanovsky won the directing prize for "Dau" dedicating it to Ukraine. French director Stéphane Brizé won best screenplay for "A Good Little Soldier" while Malou Khebizi received the emerging actor award for "A Place to Heal."
Notably major Hollywood titles in competition including "Primetime" "Bunker" and "Ink" were shut out of the awards this year.
