09.06.08
Venice ‘08: “The Wrestler” Wins the Golden Lion, Anne Hathaway Wins Nothing
Talk about a flat festival. This year Venice really amounted to almost nothing, in my humble, outsider’s opinion. I have always thought it to be the most glamorous, perhaps prestigious festival in the world, with the exception of Cannes, which it may very well be, but compared to other years it definitely seems to have made an abnormally small impact. Perhaps Toronto and Telluride clogging up the interwebs didn’t help, and that most US bloggers didn’t attend meant that there was less publicity. They are the loudest voices and without them on the scene, we hear a lot less. On the upside, “The Wrestler” and “Rachel Getting Married” got tremendous reviews that will no doubt lead to louder buzz when they are shown at Toronto this year. Other films I have been interested in didn’t do too bad review wise either, including “The Burning Plain,” “Burn After Reading” and “Ponyo on Cliff by the Sea.”
According to Reuters, Darren Aoronofsky’s “The Wrestler,” which had both Variety and Hollywood Reporter falling head over heals with rare praise and you can watch a clip of it featuring interviews with Aronofsky and Rourke here, won the Golden Lion for Best Film. This isn’t surprising, just great to hear. Alexei German Jr. won the Silver Bear for Best Director for his film “Paper Soldier.” Best Actor went to Silvio Orlando for “Il Papa di Giovanna,” I thought it’d go to Mickey Rourke, and Best Actress went to Dominique Blanc for “L’Autre,” and I thought that’d go to Anne Hathaway for “Rachel Getting Married.” How could the not give it to her? I guess awarding one non-European film was enough. Whatever, with Toronto well underway, I’m ready to move on.
Salmaya said,
September 6, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I am surprised Anne didn’t win. No, I am stunned. No, I am pissed off.
But yay for The Wrestler though. Very excited for that now.
Kerry said,
September 6, 2008 at 9:51 pm
You know, I knew The Wrestler would win and I am so glad it did, it is one of the best films I have seen in years and I wish Rourke won too – he deserved it I think. But having not see the others that did win, I cannot say much more than that.
Dave said,
September 6, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Indeed Kerry, so glad The Wrestler won. I cannot get that film out of my head, it’s so compelling. On to Toronto indeed…
Nick Plowman said,
September 6, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I know jealousy makes you nasty, but to hell with that. You guys are too lucky. Too damn lucky.
Wrestler said,
September 6, 2008 at 11:08 pm
If Rourke isn’t nominated for an Oscar, then I’ll be pissed.
J.D. said,
September 6, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Honestly – I’m not surprised. They’ve given their acting awards to Americans and American films very frequently, so votes against Anne because of that make total sense.
At least she’s got the stellar reviews. *sigh*
Nick Plowman said,
September 6, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Yeah, good point, as usual, I just thought since her film and her performance were talked about so much they’d give it to her. Sucks I was wrong, but like you say, thank God for the reviews, there is still major hope for her to get Oscar love!
Salmaya said,
September 6, 2008 at 11:33 pm
By the way, there is apparently a rule that they don’t give acting prizes to the film that wins the Golden Lion. Explains the Rourke ignoration.
Nick Plowman said,
September 7, 2008 at 12:55 am
I never knew that actually, but yeah, interestingly enough that would explain it.
Apparently, “Michael Collins” won the Golden Lion and Best Actor in 1996. Maybe it is a newer rule?
J.D. said,
September 7, 2008 at 1:16 am
OMG, Nick! You changed your pic!
I hate unintentional rhyming, btw.
Nick Plowman said,
September 7, 2008 at 1:18 am
Yeah, and I really love that “Happy-Go-Lucky” poster, hope people don’t think I am weird coz it’s pink. Coz that is so not why I like it.
Craig Kennedy said,
September 7, 2008 at 2:33 am
Yeah, consensus seems to be it wasn’t the best Venice. Great news for The Wrestler though. I haven’t heard any bad reviews of it yet and I can’t wait to see it.
Dame James Henry said,
September 7, 2008 at 4:15 am
I’m pissed that Annie didn’t get her award, but I kinda figured they wouldn’t go for two more American acting winners after last year with the Brad Pitt/Cate Blanchett tag team. Festivals are always weird about spreading the wealth around.
Miranda Wilding said,
September 7, 2008 at 7:02 am
No one thinks you’re weird, my sweet baboo.
Pink is for EVERYONE.
Not just girls……..
J.D. said,
September 7, 2008 at 7:15 am
Pink is so gay, dude.
Nick Plowman said,
September 7, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Hey James, awesome to have you here. I’m pissed too, and although I now get why she wouldn’t be awarded it is still so lame and effed up.
Miranda, well thanks! I mean, I just love the poster and the movie, and pink or not I am going to say so. And JD, thanks for that ;)
Salmaya said,
September 7, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Well, Nick, it really is a great poster :)
J.D. said,
September 7, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Dude, you know I’d never miss an opportunity to call the kettle black. ;)
It IS a good poster, though.
Kerry said,
September 7, 2008 at 11:06 pm
It is a lovely poster, and I am so thrilled to be seeing “H-G-L” in the next few days :)
Nick Plowman said,
September 8, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Yeah….
Anyways, so I have heard that The Wrestler has been picked up by a US distributor, but who that is yet is unknown.