‘The Room Subsequent Door’ tops Venice Movie Competition. Nicole Kidman misses performing honor as a result of mother’s dying

Nicole Kidman received the most effective actress award for her portrayal of a CEO in an affair with a younger intern in “Babygirl” on the Venice Movie Competition, which got here to an in depth Saturday.

Kidman was not in attendance. Her director, Halina Reijn learn a press release from the actor, revealing that Kidman’s mom died whereas she was in Venice.

The 81st version of the Venice Movie Competition ended with the world premiere of Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2” and the awards ceremony.

Vincent Lindon received the most effective actor award for the French drama “The Quiet Son,” through which he performs a single father whose son is radicalized by the far proper.

There was no actual consensus decide for the highest prize going into the night, and eyes have been centered on what the Isabelle Huppert-led jury would bestow prizes upon this yr. Most of the 21 titles enjoying in competitors have been divisive, with passionate supporters and detractors.

“I’ve excellent news for you,” Huppert stated on the ceremony. “Cinema is in nice form.”

Among the many highest profile of the movies up for the highest prize included: Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the not-a-musical-musical with Joaquin Phoenix and Girl Gaga ; Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas movie “Maria,” starring Angelina Jolie because the famed soprano; the erotic thriller “Babygirl” through which Kidman will get entangled in an advanced affair with an intern, performed by Harris Dickinson; Luca Guadagnino’s William S. Burroughs adaptation “Queer,” with Daniel Craig as a junkie expat obsessive about a younger pupil; Brady Corbet’s 215-minute post-war epic about an architect and a Holocaust survivor rebuilding a life in America, “The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody; and Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language mediation on dying and friendship, “The Room Subsequent Door,” starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.

5 years in the past, the Venice jury shocked the movie world by giving the Golden Lion to “Joker,” which went on to win a finest actor Oscar for Phoenix. Final yr the highest award went to “Poor Issues” and the yr earlier than, the documentary “All of the Magnificence and the Bloodshed.”

The Luigi De Laurentiis award for a debut movie went to Sarah Friedland’s “Acquainted Contact,” about an octogenarian’s transition to life in assisted dwelling as she grapples along with her age, her reminiscence and her relationship to her caregivers. Friedland additionally received the director prize within the horizons part and her star, Kathleen Chalfant, received the actress prize.

Although all the time a participant within the worldwide competition scene, Venice has cemented its fame as a significant launching pad for awards campaigns over the previous 12 years. Since 2014, they’ve hosted 4 finest image winners (“Birdman,” “Highlight,” “The Form of Water” and “Nomadland”) and 19 nominees. And buzz is already swirling about potential finest actress nominations for Kidman and Jolie, actor for Craig and supporting actress for Gaga, as the autumn movie season kicks into full gear.

The competition this yr marked a return to kind with true A-listers again on the Lido to rejoice movies each out and in of competitors after final yr’s strike addled outing. Along with the names above, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Sigourney Weaver have been all lending their star energy to the occasion.

And plenty of rose to the event with their style. Gaga’s Christian Dior robe paired with a classic lace Philip Treacy headpiece made for a significant red-carpet second. As was Kidman’s physique hugging Schiaparelli, Blanchett’s Armani Privé with strands of pearls cascading down her again, and Jolie along with her fur stole. Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig additionally performed the ability couple, along with her in a glittery blue Versace robe and him in a cream Loewe swimsuit. The “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” forged did additionally did a spin on the film’s aesthetic with their wares.

The final main movie premiering, out of competitors, was the second a part of Kevin Costner’s self-financed ardour challenge. The primary installment had a glitzy premiere on the Cannes Movie Competition earlier this yr, however after that fizzled on the field workplace earlier this summer season, the August launch of “Chapter Two” was delayed. As an alternative, it might go the competition route as effectively.