Ellen Burstyn to Receive Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival

'The Exorcist' actor Ellen Burstyn to receive Golden Lion at Venice International Film Festival

Los Angeles, July 14

The festival's artistic director, Alberto Barbera, described Burstyn as an "actress of rare intensity and truth."

"She had brought depth and complexity to unforgettable female characters embodying the contradictions and transformations in the contemporary woman. Revealed in Peter Bogdanovich's 'The Last Picture Show,' which portrayed the twilight of small-town America, and elevated to global stardom by the success of William Friedkin's 'The Exorcist,' Burstyn won the Oscar for best actress for Martin Scorsese's 'Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore,' the film manifesto about women reclaiming their identity and their freedom," Barbera said, as quoted by Variety.

He went on to note how Burstyn has worked with "some of the most important film directors of the time."

Barbera emphasised how "Burstyn made fragility and methodical discipline the tools of an approach to acting grounded in emotional truth, attentiveness and generosity toward one's characters. Her artistry, which could illuminate pain and everyday resilience with dignity, irony and courage, remains an absolute model of authenticity in performance and civic engagement within the craft of acting."

Reacting to the milestone, Ellen Burstyn expressed much gratitude as she shared, "Wow! I not only get to travel to one of my top most favorite cities in the whole world, I get to return home carrying a Golden Lion in my arms! The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Venice Film Festival! I feel so honored-- so happy -- so filled with gratitude! Wow indeed!" as quoted by Variety.

Burstyn will receive the honour on the occasion of the screening of Maggie Gyllenhaal's short film 'Flesh Impact'.

Dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, the film follows Burstyn's "uncommon talent as a performer."

The 83rd Venice Film Festival is set to run between September 2-12.

— ANI