May El-Toukhy, whose film Woman Unknown clinched the prestigious Golden Lion, revealed she wasn't surprised that her victory was deemed a 'shock' by some pundits. Speaking at the winners' press conference, the Danish director reflected on the pervasive experience of women in the industry. "It doesn’t surprise me that some people would say, ‘Oh, did she get it?’ Because that’s part of everyday life as a woman in this industry," she stated.
El-Toukhy added that she is accustomed to being underestimated, recalling how her film consistently ranked low on Venice prediction lists before the official lineup was even confirmed. She highlighted a systemic issue where women directors often feel they are competing against each other rather than their male peers. "When I look to those lists, we would be four women, and I would feel that I had to compete with those four women and not my male peers, and that’s a systemic issue," she explained, urging journalists, media, and male colleagues to actively work towards creating a more inclusive environment.
Venice jury head Maggie Gyllenhaal firmly dismissed suggestions that the jury's decision to award one of only two competition films by a woman was politically motivated. Instead, she lauded Woman Unknown, a drama exploring sexual shame and political paranoia in postwar Denmark, as "a brilliantly made movie that felt like a laser beam." The film also earned Danish actress Mathilde Arcel the Best Actress prize for her compelling portrayal of a woman desperately trying to conceal her past.
Elsewhere at the conference, the filmmakers behind NAZA, the Special Jury Prize winner focusing on the IDF's actions in Gaza, expressed their hope that the powerful film would reach Israeli audiences. Director Yuval Abraham emphasized the importance for Israelis to acknowledge their government's actions, and defended the film's rigorous reporting against criticism from the IDF.
Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio, who won the Orizzonti sidebar prize for Best Actor in The House of the Monkey, took a moment to remember revered UK producer Jeremy Thomas, who had passed away just days prior. A visibly emotional Scamarcio paid tribute to Thomas, calling him "a pirate," a "free man," and "a great man of cinema" who championed artistic freedom and protected directors. "When I heard the news this morning, I was glad to come to Venice to get my award, but I cried for Jeremy," he shared.
Iranian actress Laleh Marzban also received the Orizzonti Best Actress award for her performance in Falling House. When asked about the film's potential reception in her homeland, given its challenge to patriarchal systems, Marzban spoke of taking small, incremental steps towards change. "If we give our small contribution, maybe we will reach our objective," she remarked, expressing hope that her work would inspire others to contribute to a common goal.