Venice Film Festival 2021: Penelope Cruz and Maggie Gyllenhaal lead stars at the closing ceremony
Penelope Cruz looked effortlessly chic, while Maggie Gyllenhaal wowed in white as they led the stars on the red carpet at the closing ceremony of the 78th Venice International Film Festival on Saturday.
The Vanilla Sky actress, 47, stunned in a shimmering silver off-the shoulder gown as she posed for the cameras on the final day of the annual event.
As Donnie Darko star Maggie, 43, looked as glamorous as ever in a plunging white gown as she worked her best angles for the camera.
Penelope Cruz looked effortlessly chic, while Maggie Gyllenhaal wowed in white as they led the stars on the red carpet at the closing ceremony of the 78th Venice International Film Festival on Saturday
Penelope oozed grace and glamour as she glided across the carpet in her jaw-dropping gown which featured a metallic lace overlay, a dropped waist and a voluminous tulle underskirt.
The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star accessorised her showstopping gown with a pewter clutch back and towering silver and black heels.
Penelope left her caramel tresses to fall gracefully on her shoulders, while she enhanced her beauty with a sleek palette of make-up.
And it certainly was a magical evening for Penelope as she later picked up the Coppa Volpi award for Best Actress for her role in the film Madres Paralelas (Parallel Mothers).
A vision: The Vanilla Sky actress, 47, stunned in a shimmering silver off-the shoulder gown as she posed for the cameras on the final day of the annual event
Wow: Penelope oozed grace and glamour as she glided across the carpet in her jaw-dropping gown which featured a metallic lace overlay, a dropped waist and a voluminous tulle underskirt
Radiant: Penelope left her caramel tresses to fall gracefully on her shoulders, while she enhanced her beauty with a sleek palette of make-up
What an entrance: The Spanish beauty was sure to turned heads as she elegantly stepped out of her car as she arrived
The Spanish star, who plays Janis in the Pedro Almodóvar directed film, looked delighted as she accepted her prize from jury member Saverio Costanzo.
At one point Penelope even planted a kiss on her huge trophy as she dazzled up on stage, before reading an acceptance speech.
She was later seen clutching her trophy tightly as she posed at the award winner’s photocall.
Elsewhere, Maggie added a stylish twist to her outfit by wearing a black and green patterned bandeau under her low-cut dress which was visible from the sides.
Winner! It certainly was a magical evening for Penelope as she later picked up the Coppa Volpi award for Best Actress for her role in the film Madres Paralelas (Parallel Mothers)
Lovely: Penelope not only wowed on the red carpet but on the stage too as she accepted her Best Actress award
Here you go: The Spanish star, who plays Janis in the Pedro Almodóvar directed film, looked delighted as she accepted her prize from jury member Saverio Costanzo
All mine: At one point Penelope even planted a kiss on her huge trophy as she dazzled up on stage, before reading an acceptance speech
Holding court: All eyes were on Penelope as she read her acceptance speech
She completed her beautiful look with a pair of simple black heels and kept her accessories minimal other than a couple of silver bracelets.
The film producer wore her brunette tresses in a chic cropped do and opted for a pretty and natural makeup look complete with a slick of light pink lip.
It proved to be a great night for Maggie as she later picked up an award for Best Screenplay for her movie The Lost Daughter.
The stunner, who directed the film, looked overjoyed as she was handed the gong by jury member Cynthia Erivo.
Dazzling: Penelope, who donned glittering diamond earrings, was glowing as she she flashed a huge smile at the cameras
Keeping it close: She was later seen clutching her trophy tightly as she posed at the award winner’s photocall
Just the two of use: Penelope kept her trophy close as she posed on the red carpet once again
The 2021 Venice Film Festival has taken place from 1-11 September, and is considered one of the world’s oldest awards ceremonies and one of the ‘Big Five’ events.
The jury is headed by Parasite frontman Bong Joon Ho, who said he is ‘honoured to be woven into its beautiful cinematic tradition.
‘As president of the jury — and more importantly as a perpetual cinephile — I’m ready to admire and applaud all the great films selected by the festival. I’m filled with genuine hope and excitement.’
The jury is also comprised of director Saverio Costanzo, actress Virginie Efira, star Cynthia Erivo, actress Sarah Gadon, documentarian Alexander Nanau, and director Chloé Zhao.
This year’s festival has also invited two Afgan filmmakers, Sahraa Karimi and Sahra Mani, to discuss the Taliban’s takeover of the country, with ‘particular attention to the situation of filmmakers and artists,’ in a panel taking place on 4th September.
Beauty: Donnie Darko star Maggie, 43, looked as glamorous as ever in a plunging white gown as she worked her best angles for the camera
Pretty: Maggie added a stylish twist to her outfit by wearing a black and green patterned bandeau under her low-cut dress which was visible from the sides
Details: She completed her beautiful look with a pair of simple black heels and kept her accessories minimal other than a couple of silver bracelets
The topic of the panel will be ‘the dramatic situation of Afghan filmmakers and artists in general, the need for the creation of humanitarian corridors and the guarantee of the granting of political refugee status, as well as concern for their future and the need to provide for their accommodation once they arrive in Europe.’
Oscar-winning Italian director Roberto Benigni, who helmed the acclaimed Life is Beautiful, will also be honoured with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
In a statement he said: ‘My heart is full of joy and gratitude. It is an immense honour to receive such an important recognition of my work from the Venice International Film Festival.’
This year’s festival has also seen the grand return of its star-studded red carpet premieres, after last year’s event was drastically scaled back due to the Covid pandemic.
Radiant: The film producer wore her brunette tresses in a chic cropped do and opted for a pretty and natural makeup look complete with a slick of light pink lip
All white on the night: Maggie appeared in great spirits as while posing on the red carpet in her flawless dress
Congratulations! It proved to be a great night for Maggie as she later picked up an award for Best Screenplay for her movie The Lost Daughter
Proud: Maggie cheekily stuck her tongue out as she gleefully posed with her award
Recipient: The stunner, who directed the film, looked overjoyed as she was handed the gong by jury member Cynthia Erivo
Speech: Maggie put on a graceful display as she read her acceptance speech while Cynthia watched on
Last year’s occasion saw a significantly smaller number of guests in attendance, will all red carpet arrivals required to adhere to social distancing, with temperature checks and mask wearing mandatory at the event.
Despite its return, this year’s festival is still adhering to strict Covid guidelines, following a rise in cases in Italy.
Public access to the red carpet is banned, and more than 10 testing stations have been set up.
All attendees must show proof of a negative test or vaccination to enter a screen, and masks are required indoors.
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
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