MovieChat Forums > Promises Written in Water (2010) Discussion > No awards at Venice

No awards at Venice

posted 14 years ago by HolyShackles
3 replies | jump to latest

Not that it really matters or that any kind of award (or lack there of) for a film is the ultimate test of its quality, and I'm certainly not surprised over this, but it still goes to show when Somewhere, the bastard cousin film of Lost in Translation (and the fact it comes from the same director, almost like a cinematic inbreeding) wins the Golden Bear, an honor once given to Last Year at Marienbad, Red Desert, Battle of Algiers, Belle de Jour, The State of Things, etc. that we no longer live in a time period where risk taking and boldness are given any sort of merit. The uninspired lethargy in Sofia's films seem to be much too relevant towards overall society now, unfortunately, I expect loads of college kids can't wait to watch it on their iPads... Well, at least Gallo won best actor for Essential Killing and Monte Hellman won an award for "overall work", whatever the hell that means.

[–] michael-sevigny 14 years ago

To be fair, we haven't seen either film. Now, I'm not saying that Coppola is a better filmmaker than Gallo or that I'd rather see Somewhere than Promises Written in Water, but I just don't think we should dismiss her or her work out of hand.

Anyway, like you said, it is pretty fantastic that Gallo won Best Actor (especially considering that it's technically against Venice policy!) and it's entirely possible that his work will be a big success at Toronto. Honestly, I'm just happy that he's back to making films again. I really don't put that much stock in these awards anyway, and I'm sure Prince Vince isn't either.

(I'm pretty sure "overall work" just means "lifetime achievement", by the way.)

[–] HolyShackles 14 years ago

Yeah, I do agree on most points (but how is Gallo winning best actor against polilcy? I thought the only type of policy about that is that an award cannot be given to a film itself and an actor in it). However, I still think there was the biggest bias in the festival's history with Tarantino leading it and giving the award to his ex-lover/still best friend.

[–] michael-sevigny 14 years ago

Usually if a film has already received an award, the actor cannot receive the Volpi Cup. Tarantino requested that the rule be changed for Gallo.

Anyway, yeah, the jury was apparently unanimous, but I see where you're coming from. At the end of the day though, I'm just salivating for the chance to finally see both Essential Killing and Promises Written In Water.