‘Joker’ won the Golden Lion award

Director Todd Phillips said at the awards ceremony on September 7: `I want to thank Warner Bros. and DC for stepping out of their comfort zone to take risks with me and this movie.`

Todd Phillips (right) and Joaquin Phoenix received the award.

Joker is about the character of the same name in DC comics – an evil character who dresses like a clown, often confronting Batman.

Variety commented that the result was surprising because Hollywood films rarely win in Venice.

Joker trailer

Trailer `Joker`.

Although Joker won the top prize, Joaquin Phoenix did not have the `Best Actor` award, losing to Luca Marinelli (Martin Eden).

The second most important award of the festival – the Grand Jury Prize – was awarded to An Officer and a Spy directed by Roman Polanski.

Emmanuelle Seigner received the award for her husband at the Venice Film Festival.

The French-Polish director did not come to the event.

About Endlessness by Roy Andersson won the Silver Lion (Best Director).

Ariane Ascaride received the female lead award.

The award that many people also noticed was `Excellent Screenplay`, given to Hong Kong filmmaker – Yonfan (No.7 Cherry Lane).

The 76th Venice Film Festival takes place from August 28 to September 7.

Main awards at the 2019 Venice Film Festival

Golden Lion: Joker (directed by Todd Phillips)

Grand Jury Prize: An Officer and a Spy (Roman Polanski)

Silver Lion for best director: Roy Andersson (About Endlessness)

Actress: Ariane Ascaride (Gloria Mundi)

Actor: Luca Marinelli (Martin Eden)

Script: Yonfan (No. 7 Cherry Lane)

Special jury prize: The Mafia Is No Longer What It Used to Be (Franco Maresco)

Promising young actor: Toby Wallace (Babyteeth)