“Woman Unknown,” a drama about Denmark in the wake of the Nazi occupation directed by May el‑Toukhy, captured the prestigious Golden Lion at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on Saturday.
El‑Toukhy was the sole female director to have a film in the main competition this year.
Her film follows a young Marie, portrayed by Mathilde Arcel, whose Best Actress win marks a rare double triumph. Marie works as a nanny and housemaid, poised to marry her affluent employer shortly after the war. Yet she hides a past intimate affair with a German soldier that could jeopardize her reputation.
South Korean auteur Lee Chang‑dong’s lyrical examination of class and labour, “Possible Love,” claimed the Silver Lion grand jury prize, the runner‑up honor. The film marks Lee’s first release in eight years, following his acclaimed 2018 work “Burning.”
“NAZA,” a harrowing documentary on Israeli military tactics in the Gaza conflict by filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, received a special jury prize.
“It is truly essential for Israelis to see this film,” Abraham said.
Added to the main competition late at the filmmakers’ request, “NAZA” premiered later in the schedule but still made a powerful impact, earning a record‑breaking standing ovation that lasted about 25 minutes after its debut.
Filmed clandestinely on Tel Aviv rooftops at night over three years, “NAZA” presents testimony from 24 Israeli military insiders — including intelligence officers and soldiers — who describe the war in Gaza and allege systematic killing of Palestinian civilians.
The Silver Lion for directing went to Ilya Krzhanovsky for his film “Dau,” a two‑decade‑long project chronicling the Soviet physicists who built the atomic bomb.
Krzhanovsky, who renounced his Russian citizenship in protest of the war in Ukraine, dedicated the award to Ukrainians, noting his mother’s birthplace there.
The jury, led by Maggie Gyllenhaal, announced the winners at Saturday night’s ceremony, which also awarded the best actor prize to John Malkovich for his role in the dark CIA comedy “Wild Horse Nine.”
Although Malkovich did not attend, he sent a video message from Montreal, saying he felt humbled to join the ranks of previous honorees.
“I am humbled to be chosen for this award, which has been bestowed on so many wonderful actors,” Malkovich remarked.
Martin McDonagh’s “Wild Horse Nine” also drew a standing ovation that extended well past ten minutes. The dark comedy tracks two CIA agents traveling to Easter Island just before Chile’s 1973 military coup.
The performances of John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell were highlighted as key elements that attracted attention at the premiere.
McDonagh has previously premiered two films at Venice — “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.”
He has won screenplay awards for both, while Colin Farrell earned an acting prize for the latter.
Mathilde Arcel, the star of “Woman Unknown,” appeared visibly moved when accepting the Best Actress award, noting the trophy’s weight and choosing to set it on the floor while she spoke.
“This is my first lead role in a feature film and my debut at a festival,” she said. “I am truly honored.”
French director Stéphane Brizé secured the screenplay prize for his corporate drama “A Good Little Soldier.”
Malou Khebizi received the Marcello Mastroianni Award for emerging actor for her performance in Cédric Kahn’s “15/18 (A Place to Heal),” set in an adolescent psychiatric ward within a public hospital.
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