The Return Wins Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival

The Russian drama The Return has won the top prize at the 60th annual Venice Film Festival.

The film, by first-time director Andrey Zvyagintsev, is about a tragic reunion between a father and his sons. The film received the Golden Lion award Saturday.

The Return was scarred by a real-life tragedy shortly after completion, when teenage actor Vladimir Girin drowned in a lake in the same region where the movie was filmed.

The runner-up, Jury Grand Prix, was awarded to the drama Le Cerf-Volant (The Kite), by Lebanese director Randa Chahal Sabbag. The film deals with love and separation in the Lebanon-Israel border region.

Japanese filmaker Takeshi Kitano, was best director for Zatoichi, a film about a blind samurai in 19th century Japan.

Sean Pean received best actor for his role in 21 Grams. Best actress went to Katja Riemann, for her performance in Rosenstrasse.

The Return: Synopsis

A life of two brothers is suddenly shattered by the appearance of their father, whom they only remember from a 10-year-old photograph. Is he really their father? Why did he come back after so many years? The children find the answers on a remote and desolate island, travelling with the man who turns their life upside down. The rugged beauty of the northern lakes and forests adds a peculiar dimension to the unfolding human drama.

The Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev

Andrey Zvyagintsev

Born in Novosibirsk in 1964. Since 1986, he has lived in Moscow. He graduated from the Acting Department of Moscow State University of Theatre Art. He worked as actor at different independent theatre projects. In 2000, he made his first TV debut as a director for short TV films Busido, Obscure and Choice for TV series Black Room. The film The Return is the feature-film debut for the director.

“It sounds like a valid question, – what is this film about, but I think this question should not be asked. The strange thing is how easily we are prepared to rid ourselves of our own vision, replacing it conveniently with someone else’s interpretation, even with that of the author. Consider how great is the difference between the two notions. When I was shooting the film I did not see the story as an every day or a social one. To a great extent the film is an intent mythological look on human life. This is probably what I would like the audience to keep in mind before they enter the screening room.” – Andrey Zvyagintsev