Venice Film Fest wraps up; Israeli war film wins top honors

The Israeli film "Lebanon," about the 1982 conflict in that Middle East country, has won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival.

"Lebanon," tells the story of Israeli paratroopers searching a hostile town. According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Samuel Maoz shot almost the entire film from inside a tank to communicate the claustrophobia and fear he experienced as a young Israeli conscript during the war. He was so traumatized by his memories that it took him 25 years to gather the strength to make the movie.

"I dedicate this award to the thousands of people all over the world who, like me, come back from war safe and sound," the director told the audience at the closing ceremony.

"Apparently they are fine ... but inside, the memory will remain stabbed in their soul."

Other film fest winners include:

--Todd Solondz's dark comedy "Life During Wartime," for best screenplay.

--Iranian video artist Shirin Neshat won best director for "Women Without Men," which chronicles the lives of four women from different walks of life against the backdrop of Iran's foreign-backed coup in 1953.

--British actor Colin Firth won best actor as expected for his turn as a gay professor mourning his lover in fashion designer Tom Ford's debut picture "A Single Man," based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood.

--Russian Ksenia Rappoport picked up the best actress award for her part in Giuseppe Capotondi's Italian competition entry "La Doppia Ora."

--German director Fatih Akin took the special jury prize for comedy "Soul Kitchen," about a young restaurant owner who struggles to keep his business going while maintaining a long-distance relationship and dealing with his criminal brother.

-- Filipino director Pepe Diokno garnered the award for best debut film for "Engkwentro."

--Sylvie Olive took home the award for best set design for Jaco Van Dormael's "Mr. Nobody."

and Italy's Jasmine Trinca won best emerging performer for "Il Grande Sogno."

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