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Gyllenhaal Defends 'Woman Unknown' Golden Lion Win
12 Sep
Summary
- Maggie Gyllenhaal led jury awarded Golden Lion to sole female director's film.
- Gyllenhaal denied the win was a political statement.
- Film also won best actress for its lead, Mathilde Arcel.
At the conclusion of her Venice jury presidency, Maggie Gyllenhaal addressed the Golden Lion award given to May el-Toukhy's "Woman Unknown." This marked the only film in the prestigious competition solely directed by a woman. Gyllenhaal, however, rejected suggestions that the jury's decision was a political statement, stating her admiration for the film's artistic quality.
The jury, comprising notable international filmmakers and academics, also unanimously awarded Mathilde Arcel, the lead actress in "Woman Unknown," the Volpi Cup for best actress. Gyllenhaal expressed high expectations for Arcel's future career.
Furthermore, the special jury prize was presented to "NAZA," a documentary co-directed by Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham. Gyllenhaal commended the film for its immense bravery, intelligence, and its nuanced depiction of systems, drawing parallels to "Zone of Interest."
