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Tsai Ming-liang embraces his Grand Jury Prize. Photo: AFP

Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang honoured in Venice

Tsai takes Grand Jury Prize, while Italian documentary wins Golden Lion

AFP

The Italian film became the first documentary to win the top prize at the world's oldest film festival, while Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang was also honoured at the prestigious Venice event.

Tsai, a former Golden Lion winner, landed a Grand Jury Prize at the 70th Venice Film Festival for , the slow-moving story of a homeless father who earns a meagre living as a human billboard while his children wander the streets of Taipei.

"I thank all the jury members and the public in Venice for slowing down their pace to watch my movie," he said, referring to some slow framings, defined by many as almost paintings, that last for several minutes.

Italian director Gianfranco Rosi's documentary, which looks into everyday life off a Rome ring road, was the surprise winner of the Golden Lion for best movie.

"I would never, ever have believed a documentary would win the Venice Film Festival," said an emotional Rosi, who won the top prize out of 20 films in competition with his tale, which peered into private moments in houses, workplaces and gardens.

The director said he had spent years preparing and researching for the movie and thanked "the characters for allowing me into their lives".

("Holy GRA") was one of an unprecedented two documentaries in the running for the Lion, and Rosi said it had been a "huge act of courage" to let them compete.

Italy last won the Golden Lion in 1998 with Gianni Amelio's .

The best actor prize went to Greece's Themis Panou for his role as father to a family that harbours a deep secret in Alexandros Avranas' .

Avranas was awarded the Silver Lion for best director for the film, which shocked audiences with a chilling tale of incest and child suicide.

The award for best actress was picked up by 82-year-old Elena Cotta for her portrayal of a stubborn old lady in southern Italy, who refuses to back down from a staring feud in Emma Dante's .

The best screenplay award went to Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope for Stephen Frears' , a charming tragi-comedy starring Judy Dench, based on the true tale of mother Philomena Lee's search for her son after he is given up for adoption.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Taiwanese director honoured in Venice
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