The Magdalene Sisters wins award

Director Peter Mullan’s scathing depiction of an abusive Catholic convent, The Magdalene Sisters, won the Golden Lion for best picture today at the Venice Film Festival.

American actress Julianne Moore was named best actress for “Far From Heaven.”

Best-actor award went to Stefano Accorsi, for his role as an early 20th century Italian poet in A Voyage Called Love, while Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong won best director for Oasis.

The awards ceremony topped off a 10-day festival of movies, with more than 75 features, dozens of short films and an ample supply of stars to make the paparazzi squeal.

The show also managed to unveil a number of highly praised works, among them Dirty Pretty Things by English director Stephen Frears; The Man from the Train, by French director Patrice Leconte; and Dolls by Japanese director Takeshi Kitano.

Other awards today included: the Venice 59 jury prize of special recognition for House of Fools, by Russian director Andrej Konchalovsky; best young actor or actress for Moon So-ri for Oasis; and a special prize for Far From Heaven cinematographer Edward Lachman.

In the Upstream section for less mainstream films, Springtime in a Small Town, a Chinese-French production directed by Tian Zhuang Zhuang won the top San Marco prize.

The following is a list of award-winners announced at the Venice Film Festival tonight.

Venice 59 section: Golden Lion for Best Film: The Magdalene Sisters (directed by Peter Mullan; Britain)

Jury Grand Prix: House of Fools (directed by Andrej Konchalovsky; Russia/France)

Special Director’s Award: Lee Chang-dong (Oasis; South Korea)

Coppa Volpi for Best Actress: Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven; United States)

Coppa Volpi for Best Actor: Stefano Accorsi (A Voyage Called Love; Italy)

Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor or Actress: Moon So-ri (Oasis; South Korea)

Award for an Outstanding Individual Contribution: Cinematographer Edward Lachman (Far From Heaven; United States)

Silver Lion for Best Short Film: Clown (directed by Irina Efteeva; Russia)

UIP prize for Best European Short Film: Lover of Pirates (directed by Zsofia Peterffy; Hungary)

Upstream section for less mainstream films:

San Marco prize for best film: Springtime in a Small Town (director Tian Zhuang Zhuang; China/France)

Jury’s Special Award: Snake of June (director Shinya Tsukamoto; Japan)

Luigi De Laurentiis Venice Award for a First Film: Roger Dodger (director Dylan Kidd; United States); and Two Friends (Spiro Scimone and Francesco Sframeli; Italy) (tie)