Kim Novak to receive Venice Film Festival's highest award - the "Golden Lion"

Legendary American actress Kim Novak will be awarded the honorary award, the highest distinction - the "Golden Lion" for lifetime achievement - at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, which will take place from August 27 to September 6. This was reported by Deadline, writes UNN.

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Within the framework of the festival, the world premiere of the documentary film "Vertigo Kim Novak" by director Alexander Philippe, created in cooperation with the actress herself, will also take place.

Kim Novak, known for the films "Vertigo", "Picnic" and "Bell, Book and Candle", commented on receiving the award.

I am deeply touched to receive the prestigious "Golden Lion" award from such a reputable film festival. To be honored for my entire creative journey at this period of my life is a true dream. I will cherish every moment spent in Venice. It will fill my heart with joy

The festival's artistic director, Alberto Barbera, characterizing the actress, said that having become a movie star almost by accident, Kim Novak became one of the most beloved Hollywood icons of the 1950s.

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She refused to obey the studio system, independently chose roles, controlled her personal life, and defended her right to keep her own surname, although she agreed to change her hair color - the same platinum blonde that became her calling card. She was independent, non-conformist, and even created her own production company

He added that Kim Novak "impressed viewers not only with her beauty, but also with the depth of her characters, which combined naivety and sensuality, calmness and inner drama."

Among the directors she worked with are Billy Wilder ("Kiss Me, Stupid"), Otto Preminger ("The Man with the Golden Arm"), Robert Aldrich, George Sidney, Richard Quine. But her name is most associated with her role in Alfred Hitchcock's film "Vertigo", which became defining in her career.

Kim Novak was a first-magnitude star in the 1950s, but in 1966 she retired from active acting. She only rarely appeared on screen, notably in the film "The Broken Mirror" (1980) and the series "Falcon Crest" (1986–1987). After the film "Liebestraum" (1991), she finally ended her career, settling on a ranch in Oregon, where she devoted herself to painting and caring for horses.

This year's festival will also honor the outstanding German director Werner Herzog.