Weinstein CompanyAnd the winner is...not The Master?
The 69th Venice Film Festival announced its awards Saturday, complete with a side of confusion and a bit of controversy, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Harvey Weinstein's flick The Master, which stars Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Laura Dern, was awarded both The Silver Lion for director Paul Thomas Anderson and Best Actor for both Philip and Joaquin, however, it got un-awarded the Golden Lion for Best Picture.
As for why the flick rumored to be inspired by scientologist creator Ron L. Hubbard was granted then denied the prestigious prize? Apparently the jury liked the film a bit too much.
According to the rules, no film can win more than two awards at the festival, causing the jury to reconsider their choice and thus award the Golden Lion to South Korean director Kim Ki-duk's Pieta.
So how do the men behind The Master feel? Apparently, no hard feelings.
Weinstein shared he wasn't bothered at all by the switch and crowning of Pieta, sharing: "No, no. It's great. We think it's better."
Master director Anderson added: "I'm thrilled with whatever they want to hand over. I heard the scuttlebutt recently, but I'm thrilled with whatever we got."
The Master is set to be released in the US October 12.
Check out the list of winners:
Best Film (Golden Lion): Pieta, Kim Ki-duk (South Korea)
Best Director (Silver Lion): Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master (United States)
Special Jury Prize: Ulrich Seidl, Paradies: Glaube (Paradise: Faith) (Austria)
Best First Feature: Kuf (Mold), Ali Aydin (Turkey)
Best Actress: Hadas Yaron, Fill the Void (Israel)
Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master (United States)
Best Screenplay: Apres Mai, Olivier Assayas (France)
Best Cinematography: E Stato Il Figlio, Daniele Cipri (Italy)