Alfonso Cuarón’s intensely personal black-and-white dramaRomahas taken home the Gold Lion at the 2018 Venice Film Festival. The film festival’s top prize was awarded to the Gravity filmmaker by fellow director and friendGuillermo del Toro,whoseThe Shape of Watertook home the Lion last year. This is officially the second best thing del Toro has ever given to Cuarón, right behind thisamazing Harry Potter burn.
Participant Media CEO andRomaexecutive-producerDavid Lindesaid in a statement, “Working with Alfonso onRomahas already been an amazing journey for everyone at Participant, and we are beyond thrilled that his brilliant film has been honored with the Golden Lion. This film is a gift to all audiences, transcending language and cultural barriers and inspiring compassion across the globe.”
The film, which follows two domestic workers caring for a small family in 1970’s Mexico City, is already buildingimpressive critical buzz. (Look for our review out of TIFF soon.) It’s currently set for a Netflix release, but Netflix film chiefScott Stuberisreportedly pushingfor a limited theatrical run as well.
Roma’s Golden Lion win is a moment that breaks through the always-crowded film festival noise with its huge Oscars potential. Del Toro, of course, went on to take home both Best Director and Best Picture forShape of Waterafter his Lido win last year. In theRomafilmmaker’s case, hisGravityopened in Venice in 2013 out of competition but debuted to critical acclaim, eventually winning an incredible seven Academy Awards, most notably a Best Director statue for Cuarón.
Elsewhere,Yorgo Lanthimos' batty wif-filled period pieceThe Favouritetook home the Grand Jury Prize—the second most prestigious title at the festival—as well as the Volpi Cup for Best Actress forOlivia Colman.Willem Dafoenabbed the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his portrayal of Vincent van Gogh inAt Eternity’s Gate, while theCohen Brothersnabbed Best Screenplay for their Netflix series-turned-movieThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs.
