Lebanon (2009 film) date. Maoz says many Israeli figures were against "Lebanon" even being featured at the Venice International Film Festival. The Venice jury was chaired by Ang Lee, who had won the Golden Lion award in Venice in 2005 with "Brokeback Mountain" and in 2007 with "Lust, Caution". "Lebanon" competed against 24 other entries. The win in Venice caused a boost in the film's popularity at the Toronto International Film Festival. "The New York Times" described "Lebanon" as "an astonishing piece of cinema". "Variety" magazine said "Lebanon" is "the boldest and best" of recent Israeli films based upon the Lebanon wars. Lebanon
11th Venice International Film Festival 11th Venice International Film Festival The 11th annual Venice International Film Festival was held from 20 August to 10 September 1950. Recognized as the oldest film festival in the world, the Venice Film Festival, made its entry in 1932 in Venice, Italy. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata, the initial hosting of the festival was done in the Hotel Excelsior in Venice. The participating countries in the 1940s were just a handful owing to the breakout of World War II. The turn-out of participating countries, however, shot up in the 1950s and the festival grew internationally. Even films from