Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang honoured in Venice
Tsai takes Grand Jury Prize, while Italian documentary wins Golden Lion
The Italian film Sacro GRA became the first documentary to win the top prize at the world's oldest film festival, while Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang was also honoured at the prestigious Venice event.
Tsai, a former Golden Lion winner, landed a Grand Jury Prize at the 70th Venice Film Festival for Stray Dogs, the slow-moving story of a homeless father who earns a meagre living as a human billboard while his children wander the streets of Taipei.
"I thank all the jury members and the public in Venice for slowing down their pace to watch my movie," he said, referring to some slow framings, defined by many as almost paintings, that last for several minutes.
Italian director Gianfranco Rosi's documentary, which looks into everyday life off a Rome ring road, was the surprise winner of the Golden Lion for best movie.
"I would never, ever have believed a documentary would win the Venice Film Festival," said an emotional Rosi, who won the top prize out of 20 films in competition with his tale, which peered into private moments in houses, workplaces and gardens.
The director said he had spent years preparing and researching for the movie and thanked "the characters for allowing me into their lives".