Gay Chinese cowboys grab Golden Lion from George and 'Gardener'
The 62nd international film festival closed with a few surprises - including a starring role of sorts for a pair of Gaddafis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The latest release by the director of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is adapted from a short story by Annie Proulx and stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as love-struck cowboys whose forbidden affair begins in 1963 and ends 20 years later.
It snatched the prize from such contenders as Clooney's Good Night, And Good Luck, about broadcaster Edward R Murrow, and the acclaimed film of John Le Carré's The Constant Gardener.
Other surprises in a smooth 62nd international festival include the appearance of Col Gaddafi's playboy sons in a starring role of sorts. The brothers Saadi and Mutassim hosted a lavish aftershow party on Thursday night, the pair at the Westin Excelsior hotel on the Lido beachfront. Rapper 50 Cent entertained and 400 of La Serenissima's finest were invited.
The ostensible purpose was to promote the Gaddafi's humanitarian project for children in Niger, but the pair are also reportedly schmoozing Davide Croff, president of the Venice Biennale, which organises all major arts events in the city. They want him to accept Libyan funding for the prestigious film festival.
The brothers are keen to help fund Mr Croff's plans to renovate the Venice Lido. The site is cramped and unable to cope with the influx of celebrities and media. Biennale spokesman Paolo Luighi said "we know absolutely nothing" about the deal, but confirmed Mr Croff had attended.
Saadi Gaddafi, 31, a professional footballer, is worth an estimated $4bn. He currently plays for Italian team Perugia, after being dropped from the Libyan national side when their manager described him as "useless". His brother, 28-year-old Mutassim, is known as Hannibal and is not a footballer. But he is a player, the pair having long been known for their playboy lifestyle.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments