Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand of God (Venice 78) won the Francesco Pasinetti Award for Best Film, assigned by the Board of Cinematographic Journalists Sngci from among all the titles presented in the various sections of the Venice International Film Festival 2021. Toni Servillo and Teresa Saponangelo were the best actors of the 78th Venice Film Festival.
Special Pasinetti Award to Freaks out by Gabriele Mainetti.
Best film: È stato la mano di Dio (The Hand of God) by Paolo Sorrentino (Venice 78): «Self-portrait of the author as a young man in a surprisingly intimate personal story that entertains and excites like a Maradona goal and touches the audience’s heart».
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Toni Servillo, È stato la mano di Dio by Paolo Sorrentino, Qui rido io by Mario Martone (Venice 78) Ariaferma by Leonardo Di Costanzo (out of competition). «A solo in three different nuances for a great protagonist for whom the role of Eduardo Scarpetta alone would be enough for an award that once again celebrates Servillo’s immense talent».
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Teresa Saponangelo, È stata la mano di Dio (Venice 78): «For having brought to the screen with lightness and at the same time with strong intensity the portrait of a funny and sensitive woman to whom she gives great simplicity, strength, tenderness».
Special Francesco Pasinetti Award: Freaks out by Gabriele Mainetti (Venice 78): «A narrative and production challenge built with great quality to attract even the youngest spectators to rediscover the fascination of cinema in theatres».
The awards will be presented in the next few days in Rome.