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
69th Venice International Film Festival 69th Venice International Film Festival The 69th annual Venice International Film Festival, organized by Venice Biennale, took place at Venice Lido from 29 August to 8 September 2012. The festival opened with the Indian director Mira Nair's "The Reluctant Fundamentalist", and closed with the Out of Competition film "The Man Who Laughs", directed by Jean-Pierre Ameris. Terrence Malick's film "To the Wonder" was met with both boos and cheers from critics at its premiere. The Golden Lion for Best Film was won by "Pietà", directed by South Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-duk. Paul Thomas Anderson for "The Master" won the Silver