VENICE, Italy (AP) — The 82nd Venice Film Festival is coming to a close with an awards ceremony Saturday that has repeatedly turned to the war in Gaza. The prizes include nods for acting, directing and best picture, called the Golden Lion.
The Alexander Payne-led jury named Chinese actor Xin Zhilei best actress for leading Cai Shangjun’s “The Sun Rises on Us All,” a story about a love triangle set in the world of sweatshops in Guangzhou. Italian actor Toni Servillo won best actor for playing a president at the end of his term in Paolo Sorrentino’s “La Grazia.”
Benny Safdie took the best director prize for his Mark Kerr MMA biopic “The Smashing Machine,” which has kicked off Oscar buzz for its star, Dwayne Johnson.
“I never thought I’d be up here,” Safdie said. “To be here amongst the gi