Fassbender wins best actor award in Venice

Michael Fassbender was celebrating yesterday after winning the Coppa Volpi best actor award at this year's Venice Film Festival for his role in Shame, directed by the Turner Prize-winning artist, Steve McQueen.

Fassbender, who was born in Germany and grew up in the Republic of Ireland, said: "It's really nice when you've taken a chance on a film and you hope the subject is relevant." The 34-year-old actor added: "Steve McQueen is my hero."

The Russian director Alexander Sokurov's take on the German legend of Faust won the prestigious Golden Lion at the festival, leaving Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy, the British film that had been tipped to win but left Venice without an award.

Jury chair and US director Darren Aronofsky said Faust, which is loosely based on the myth of a man who sells his soul to devil, said: "There are some awards that make you cry, there are some films that make you laugh, there are some films that change you forever after you see them, and thisis one of them."