Taiwan-based Director Tsai Ming-liang Won Grand Jury Prize At Venice

Sep 08, 2013 02:32 PM EDT

(Photo : Taiwan-based Director Tsai Ming-liang Won Grand Jury Prize At Venice)

Venice - September 7^th, the 70^th Venice International Film Festival came to a perfect end. During the 11-day carnival, 20 films, including the themes of sex, war, politics, domestic violence and personal values, are shown in completion in the world oldest international film festival.

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Italian documentary "Sacro GRA" won the Golden Lion for the best film, while the 82-year-old actress Elena Cotta won best actress for her excellent performance in the film "A Street in Palermo". Taiwan-based director Tsai Ming-liang's "Stray Dogs" was awarded the Grand Jury Prize, the importance of which is only after the Golden Lion. Besides, 36-year-old Greek director won the Silver Lion for best director for "Miss Violence", and best actor went to Greek actor Themis Panou for his leading role in "Miss Violence". Best Screenplay was awarded to Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope for "Philomena".

Chinese film "Stray Dogs" was awarded the Grand Jury Prize

As the only Chinese film to become a finalist in this year's Venice Film Festival, "Stray Dogs" is Tsai Ming-liang's latest masterpiece. Previously, he has noticed that "Stray Dogs" may be his last film. Tsai Ming-liang once said during a press conference the film was an "infrangible will of God".

Venice is Tsai Ming-liang's blessed place. In 1994, Tsai Ming-liang's film "Vive L'Amour" won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. This time, there isn't a clear storyline or conflicts in "Stray Dogs". Director tells a story of a disgraced man with two children, with many long scenes in the film. Tsai Ming-liang is tired of commercial films. Now, he has dedicated himself to art movies.

Tsai Ming-liang said when being awarded the Grand Jury Prize: "It is quite different for my film to be awarded since it is a very slow movie, and even slower at the end of the film. So I thank all the jury members and the audience in Venice for slowing down their pace to watch my movie and walk slowly with me."