Lebanon (2009 film) Lebanon (2009 film) Lebanon (; Lebanon: The Soldier's Journey in the UK) is a 2009 internationally co-produced war film directed by Samuel Maoz. It won the Leone d'Oro at the 66th Venice International Film Festival, becoming the first Israeli-produced film to have won that honour. In Israel itself the film has caused some controversy. The film was nominated for ten Ophir Awards, including Best Film. The film also won the 14th Annual Satyajit Ray Award. Maoz based the film on his experience as a young Israeli conscript during the 1982 Lebanon War. The British newspaper "The Guardian" has described it
61st Venice International Film Festival 61st Venice International Film Festival The 61st annual Venice International Film Festival was held between 1 to 11 September 2004. The festival opened with Steven Spielberg's "The Terminal", and closed with Katsuhiro Otomo's "Steamboy". The Golden Lion was awarded to the film "Vera Drake", directed by Mike Leigh. On this edition of the festival, a new independent section, Venice Days ("Giornate degli autori"), has started "for free cinema, new talents and new stories". This section is organized by the ANAC (National Association of Cinematographic Authors) and the API (Independent Authors & Producers). Also in this edition, "The Secret History of