After viewing all the films listed in competition, the jury of Queer Lion 2012 has decided on the following awards: for skilfully conveying, in an extreme yet poetic and convincing style, an extraordinary range of themes which are often absolute taboos
69. VENICE FILM FESTIVAL: QUEER LION AWARD 2012 TO THE EXTREME “THE WEIGHT”, DIRECTED BY JEON KYU-HWAN
Transgender identity, physical deformity, violence, murder, suicide, are just some of the themes of the South Korean film
Venice Days selection snags the 2012 Queer Lion Award, a collateral prize for the “best film with a homosexual and queer culture theme” at the 69th Venice International Film Festival.
The jury, headed by filmmakers Daniele Coluccini and Matteo Botrugno, and composed of Daniel N. Casagrande, the creator of the queer lion, and Marco Busato, general delegate of the cultural association CinemArte, were unanimous in their decision to bestow the award on The Weight “for skilfully conveying, in an extreme yet poetic and convincing style, an extraordinary range of themes which are often absolute taboos; and for showing, firmly and without smugness, an assortment of characters living on the edge, searching for a small corner of the world where they can live without being judged for being different.”
Seven films were in the running for the 2012 Queer Lion Award:
PASSION by Brian De Palma (France/Germany 2012, 100’) – Venezia 69
CHERCHEZ HORTENSE by Pascal Bonitzer (France 2012, 110’) – Out of Competition
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE by Susanne Bier (Denmark/Sweden 2012, 112’) – Out of Competition
KISS OF THE DAMNED by Xan Cassavetes (USA 2012, 97’) – International Critics’ Week
ACCIAIO by Stefano Mordini (Italy 2012, 95’) – Venice Days
THE WEIGHT by Jeon Kyu-hwan (South Korea, 2012, 107’) – Venice Days
6 SULL´AUTOBUS by Simone Dante Antonelli, Giacomo Bisordi, Rita de Donato, Irene di Lelio, Antonio Ligas, and Emiliano Russo (Italy 2012, 38’) – Venice Days
