VENICE – Bernardo Bertolucci proved one thing this evening: he still has the power to surprise us. Tonight’s Venice Film Festival awards ceremony was the most surprise-laden (at this festival, or any other) in recent memory. In the press room, where I was watching it, the swiftly announced winners induced one gasp after another from the crowd — along with a smattering of boos — until the crowning stunner: the Golden Lion for “Sacro GRA,” an Italian documentary about a famous Roman highway from Gianfranco Rosi that was surely one of the most little-seen films in Competition. (I missed it too, and will be catching up with it tonight.) Hot Best Actress favorite Judi Dench missed out, though her “Philomena” co-star Steve Coogan was rewarded for his screenplay. I’ll have more analysis later; for now, the full list of winners is after the jump.
Golden Lion: “Sacro GRA,” Gianfranco Rosi
Grand Jury Prize: “Stray Dogs,” Tsai Ming-liang
Silver Lion (Best Director): “Miss Violence,” Alexandros Avranas
Best Actor: Themis Panou, “Miss Violence”
Best Actress: Elena Cotta, “A Street in Palermo”
Marcello Mastroianni Award (Best Young Actor): Tye Sheridan, “Joe”
Best Screenplay: Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, “Philomena”
Special Jury Prize: “The Police Officer’s Wife,” Phillip Groning
Luigi de Laurentiis Award (Best Debut Feature): “White Shadow,” Noaz Deshe
HORIZONS AWARDS
Best Film: “Eastern Boys,” Robin Campillo
Best Director: Uberto Pasolini, “Still Life”
Special Jury Prize: “Ruin”
Award for Innovative Content: “Fish and Cat”
Best Short Film: “Kush”