Venice Film Festival: 'From Afar' Film By Venezuelan Director Lorenzo Vigas Wins Golden Lion For Best Picture

It was a great night for Latin American cinema at the 72nd edition of the Venice Film Festival, as Lorenzo Vigas’ “From Afar” (Desde allá) won the Golden Lion for Best Picture and Pablo Trapero took the Silver Lion for Best Direction, for his thriller “The Clan” (El Clan). "I want to dedicate this prize to my amazing country, Venezuela,” said Vigas. “I know we have a few problems, but if we talk about them we will overcome them,” he continued. “It’s the first time we have a film in Venice,” the director said excited. “I’m sure it’ll be very well received in a country that’s undergoing through so many problems during the last few years and I hope this helps in some way.”

Vigas’ film is situated in the country’s capital city, Venezuela, and follows the story of a middle-class man, Armando, who falls in love with a young man, Elder, after he mugs him. After realizing there was an attraction, the two get involved in an interesting and unexpected intimate relationship. Alfredo Castro (Armando) and Luis Alejandro Silva (Elder) are the lead actor in the film.

Other award winners included Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson who won the Grand Jury Prize for "Anomalisa.” Valeria Golino for Best Actress for her performance in Giuseppe Gaudino's “For Your Love.” Fabrice Luchini won for Best Actor for his performance in Christian Vincent's "L'Hermine." Mexican director and Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuarón presided of this year's Venice Film Festival jury.