From The Hollywood Reporter · Lily Ford · · 1m 10s
Venice Critics' Week crowns 'Before the War'
An Italian debut about provincial rage took the top prize at Venice's independent sidebar.
In brief
An Italian debut about provincial rage took the top prize at Venice's independent sidebar. Tommaso Usberti's 'Before the War' won the Grand Prize for Best Film at the 41st Venice Critics' Week. Originally reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
A parallel Venice
The 41st Venice International Film Critics' Week runs alongside the main festival, with its own slate and its own jury.
Who runs it
The section is organized by the Italian National Film Critics Union, which gives it a curatorial voice independent of the festival proper.
The Grand Prize winner
Tommaso Usberti's Italian film 'Before the War' (Prima della guerra) took the Grand Prize for Best Film.
Why the jury picked it
They praised the direction and the lead actor, calling the performance powerful and expressive and the filmmaking intense.
“for its intense and vibrant direction, for the powerful and expressive talent of its lead actor”
Bodies and faces as tension
The citation singled out the mise-en-scene: crafted images where physical gesture does the dramatic work, set in a provincial Italy of violent passions.
“bodies, faces and gestures create an impressive physical tension”
The three deciders
French director Chloe Barreau, Hungarian producer Julia Berkes and industry professional Caterina Mazzucato made up the jury.
The bottom line
Tommaso Usberti's 'Before the War' won the Grand Prize for Best Film at the 41st Venice Critics' Week.
