There was controversy at the Venice Film Festival after the juges' choice for the prestigious Golden Lion Award didn't get the prize that judges felt it deserved.
Apparently Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' was the judges' choice as the best film, but was too good to receive the award, as director Paul Thomas Anderson had already received Best Director.
Instead Kim Ki-Duk’s “Pieta” took home the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival over the weekend, the first time a Korean film has been awarded the festival’s top prize. But apparently it wasn’t the jury’s first choice.
Cho Min-Soo, Kim Ki-Duk and Lee Jung-Jin's film 'Pieta' won the Golden Lion (Photo: Cinzia Carmella/WENN)
The film, which takes its name from the Michelangelo sculpture of Mary holding Jesus’ body after the crucifixion, focuses on a brutal loan shark who changes his ways when he meets a woman who claims to be his mother.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, in the jury’s opinion “Pieta” came second to 'The Master', which is thought to be based on the origin of Scientology in 1950s America and depicts a charismatic man who starts his own religion.
THR quoted jury president Michael Mann as saying: “The rules are very specific. A film may only win one award. The exception is actors.”
The jury awarded 'The Master' best director for Mr. Anderson, while Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix shared the prize for best actor for their roles in 'The Master'.
So apparently 'The Master' is a film so good it isn't allowed to win awards!
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