VENICE – Artistic Director Alberto Barbera has defended the Venice Film Festival jury’s decision to award the Golden Lion to Jim Jarmusch’s indie film ‘Father Mother Sister Brother,’ a choice that left some with “a bitter taste” for overlooking the heavily favored Gaza-themed documentary.
In an interview with ANSA, a relaxed Barbera called the verdict “correct,” explaining that the jury, led by director Alexander Payne, balanced cinematic merit with the zeitgeist, a clear reference to the powerful impact of Kaouther Ben Hania’s Silver Lion-winning ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab.’ The film poignantly tells the story of a five-year-old Gaza victim.
Barbera firmly denied reports of internal jury dissent, specifically dismissing rumors that Brazilian juror Fernanda Torres had protested. “It is absolutely not true. There were no problems on the jury. There was, of course, lengthy discussion, but it was a civil and in-depth debate,” he stated. He acknowledged that a different jury might have reached a different conclusion but emphasized that such subjectivity is “a normal part of the game.”
On his future, Barbera dismissed thoughts of a potential renewal of his contract when it ends in 2026, stating his sole priority is organizing next year’s festival to the same high standard.
The event’s success was underscored by strong numbers: 103,033 tickets sold (+9% from 2024), 13,934 accreditations issued (+9%), and a significant online reach of 44.4 million views for its digital content.
Barbera also addressed a call from director Gianfranco Rosi, who received a Special Jury Prize for ‘Sotto le Nuvole,’ for the festival to create a dedicated documentary section. Barbera countered that this year’s official selection already included 15 documentaries, adding, “I have long believed there is no longer a difference between films of reality and fiction.”
Looking ahead, Barbera revealed an interest in exploring artificial intelligence as cinema’s “new frontier,” expressing a desire to “work on it and create something dedicated” for future editions.