After awarding this year’s Golden Lion to Jim Jalmusch’s “Sister Brothers of Father’s Mother” for the best film, ju apprentice Alexander Payne of the Venice Film Festival faced a fuss about questions from journalists about the decision. Many were expecting Kaouther Ben Hania’s Gaza drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab.”
“That’s the unfair thing about attending a festival. I have to say that this is better than that. It’s not,” Payne said diplomatically at a press conference after the awards ceremony on Saturday. “As ju umpire, we value both of those films equally, each for its own reasons. And we hope that both of those films will be a long and important life, and that each of the awards we gave tonight will serve in its own unique way.”
He continued. “If we voted the day before, it could have been different… As I say, we value both films equally in our minds and protect their values.
Payne’s fellow ju-degrees at this year’s festival include Oscar-nominated Brazilian actress and writer Fernanda Torres (“I’m Still Here”), the famous Iranian Auther Mohammad Rasoulov (“The Sacred Fig Seed”), and Palmed Orwiin, director of the Romans – Prodousel Munfiu, 3 weeks, 2 months, 2 months. Brizé (“Out Of Season”), Italian director Maura Delpero (“Vermiglio”), and Chinese actor and producer Zhao Tao (“Tides”).
Payne was then asked about rumors that one of his ju umpire threatened to quit due to differences in opinion over the festival’s top award. He denied that this had happened, saying, “Did one of my ju umpires threaten to quit?
