The 83rd Venice Film Festival closed on Saturday, with the jury set to present the coveted Golden Lion for best film. While the final awards remain undecided, several entries have already captured audience attention through extended standing ovations.
Record‑breaking ovation for NAZA
“NAZA,” a late addition to the lineup that features Israeli military insiders discussing the war in Gaza and alleged civilian casualties, earned a 25‑minute standing ovation – the longest on record for the festival. This surpassed the previous record of 24 minutes set by last year’s premiere of “The Voice of Hind Rajab.”
Jury composition and other contenders
The jury, chaired by actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, includes composer Daniel Blumberg, filmmaker Xavier Giannoli, Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To. “NAZA” is the sole documentary in competition and is co‑directed by Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham, one of only two female directors in the slate.
Other films drawing enthusiastic applause include the Hollywood‑driven titles “Wild Horse Nine” and “Bunker.” Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy “Wild Horse Nine,” set around CIA agents on Easter Island before Chile’s 1973 coup, impressed audiences with its sharp script and performances by John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell. McDonagh’s earlier Venice successes, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “The Banshees of Inisherin,” earned screenplay and acting honors and later received multiple Oscar nominations.
“Bunker,” a psychological thriller reuniting real‑life couple Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, received a 14‑minute ovation. The film, written and directed by Florian Zeller, explores marital tension as an acclaimed architect designs a luxury bunker for a tech billionaire, though critical response has been mixed.
International selections and notable performances
The festival also highlighted a strong international contingent. Danish‑Egyptian filmmaker May El Toukhy’s post‑World‑War II drama “Woman Unknown,” Hirokazu Koreeda’s manga adaptation “Look Back,” and South Korean auteur Lee Chang‑dong’s “Possible Love” drew praise. “Possible Love,” Lee’s first film in eight years, features Jeon Do‑yeon, Sul Kyung‑gu, Zo In‑sung, and Cho Yeo‑jeong portraying two married couples linked by a documentary on laid‑off Korean workers.
While the jury’s final decisions remain uncertain, past Venice surprises—such as the unexpected win of “Joker”—suggest that outcomes could still defy expectations.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
