“Joker” is the First Comic Book Based Movie to Take Home a Golden Lion Award

Joaquin Phoenix in
Joaquin Phoenix in "Joker"

Joker has just made history by becoming the first-ever comic book based movie to take home the Golden Lion Award at the 2019 Venice Film Festival. The movie, directed by Todd Philips and starring Joaquin Phoenix, garnered high praise from critics after its premiere in the festival’s beginning.

This win gives the movie a push forwards during the fall award season towards the next Oscars. Phoenix, in particular, seems to be a sure nominee for the Oscar award for Best Actor as his performance was regarded by many who saw it as transformative and terrifying all at once.

After the win, Phillips thanked the crowd and the judges and said he was happy to see that they understood all that he and phoenix did in the movie. He also thanked Warner Bros. and DC “for stepping out of their comfort zone and taking such a bold swing on me and this movie.”

The director also thanked Phoenix who took the stage with him claiming he played an integral part in the making of the movie. “Joaquin is the fiercest and brightest and most open-minded lion I know. Thank you for trusting me with your insane talent.”

You can catch Joker in theaters on October 4, 2019.