Nora, Brillante fail to clinch top awards in Venice

Brillante Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” failed to win top awards at the 69th Venice International Film Festival, which held its awarding ceremony on September 8 in Venice, Italy (September 9, Sunday morning in the Philippines).

Mendoza’s film, which stars Nora Aunor and Lovi Poe, among others, was among the 18 contenders in the main competition section of the film festival.

The best film award (the Golden Lion) went to the South Korean film “Pieta” by Kim Ki-duk, while the best director honor (the Silver Lion) was given to American filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson for “The Master.”

Meanwhile, Israeli actress Hadas Yaron from the film “Fill the Void” bested Aunor in the Best Actress race. 

Hollywood actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoeniz shared the Coppa Volpi for the Best Actor award for their performance in “The Master.”

Before the announcement of winners, Aunor and Mendoza were said to be top contenders for festival prizes as they received recognition from independent bodies outside the Venice International Film Festival.

Aunor received the Bisato d’Oro award for Best Actress from a group of Italian independent film critics.

Mendoza, on the other hand, got the La Navicella Venezia Cinema award from the Rivista del Cinematografo.

American director Michael Mann headed the nine-person jury of the 69th Venice International Film Festival.