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Dark 'Joker' Wins Top Venice Film Festival Prize

Associated Press

   Todd Phillips' dark comic book film "Joker" won the Golden Lion Award
   at the 76th Venice International Film Festival on Saturday and cemented
   its place as a legitimate contender for the rest of the awards season.

   Jury president Lucretia Martel announced the winners of the prestigious
   award during a ceremony on the Lido. The Golden Lion previously put a
   spotlight on films that went on to be major awards season players, such
   as "Roma" and the film academy's 2018 best picture winner, "The Shape
   of Water."

   "I want to thank Warner Bros. and DC for stepping out of their comfort
   zone and taking such a bold swing on me and this movie," Phillips said
   with star Joaquin Phoenix by his side on stage.

   Phoenix did not win the best actor prize -- it went to Italian actor
   Luca Marinelli for the Jack London adaptation "Martin Eden" -- but the
   director of "Joker" dedicated much of his speech to the talents of his
   leading man.

   In the film, he transforms from struggling stand-up comedian Arthur
   Fleck into Batman's classic nemesis.

   "Thank you for trusting me with your insane talents," Phillips said to
   Phoenix.

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