AwardsWatch - venice film festival

From ‘Dune’ to ‘Last Night in Soho,’ Venice 2021 was a film festival to remember

Ben Rolph September 12, 2021

The Venice Film Festival was a serene, sun-blessed blast of a festival. Nothing beats getting up at the crack of dawn and sleepwalking onto the... Read More

Interview: Jan Matuszyński on his Oscar-shortlisted political thriller ‘Leave No Traces’

Adam Solomons September 12, 2021

For one of Poland’s most exciting new filmmakers, Jan Matuszyński has few influences from his native country. In describing political thriller Leave No Traces (‘Żeby... Read More

Women rule 2021 Venice Film Festival Awards as French abortion drama ‘Happening’ wins Golden Lion; Penélope Cruz, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jane Campion take top prizes

Erik Anderson September 11, 2021

The French abortion drama Happening from Audrey Diwan has won the Golden Lion at the 78th Venice Film Festival. Diwan is only the 6th woman... Read More

Venice Review: Quentin Tarantino pays tribute to Sergio Corbucci, the second-greatest spaghetti western director, in ‘Django & Django’ [Grade A-]

Ben Rolph September 9, 2021

The literal dream documentary for every film buff, especially those who take a distinct interest in the spaghetti western side of cinema. And who better... Read More

Venice Review: David Gordon Green expands the limits of trauma with ‘Halloween Kills’ [Grade: B]

Savina Petkova September 8, 2021

‘Evil dies tonight’, or tomorrow – that’s the motto uttered at some point by every single character in Halloween Kills, David Gordon Green’s follow-up to... Read More

Venice Review: Netflix’s ‘7 Prisoners’ is a tension-filled tale of morality [Grade: B+]

Ben Rolph September 7, 2021

7 Prisoners is a well-rounded, tense second feature from director Alexandre Moratto. Produced by renowned Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles, known for his iconic, Rio-set film... Read More

Venice Review: Audrey Diwan’s abortion drama ‘Happening (L’Événement)’ bares all but leaves its lead an empty vessel [Grade C-]

Savina Petkova September 6, 2021

The initial idea for Audrey Diwan’s Happening (L’Événement) came from a famous French autobiographical novel, written by Annie Ernaux in 2000 about her own illegal... Read More

Venice Review: Ana Lily Amirpour’s ‘Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon’ is a vibrantly stylish, yet uneven ride [Grade C+]

Ben Rolph September 6, 2021

Ana Lily Amirpour’s latest film, after a five-year absence due to her venturing into the world of TV, will take audiences on a stylish, hipster... Read More

Venice Review: Tim Roth and Charlotte Gainsbourg seethe in the Mexican heat of Michel Franco’s ‘Sundown’ [Grade: B]

Savina Petkova September 5, 2021

Michel Franco returns to the Lido just one year after his New Order won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize, premiering his latest which also... Read More