"Woman Unknown" ("Kvinde Ukendt" in its original Danish title), directed by May el-Toukhy, won the Golden Lion, the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, on Saturday, September 12.
The film was the only title in the main competition directed exclusively by a woman. It follows Marie, a young nanny and domestic worker played by Mathilde Arcel, who is preparing to marry the wealthy widower she works for. Marie is hiding a shameful secret: during the Second World War, she had an intimate relationship with a German soldier.
Jury president raised gender gap
According to Variety, el-Toukhy gave an emotional speech in which she referred to the lack of women in the competition, an issue that jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal had already raised on the festival's opening day. Gyllenhaal told a press conference that there was a systemic problem, and that it was harder for women to secure financing for their films.
The Venice Film Festival, held annually on Italy's Lido island, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious film festivals. The Golden Lion is its highest honor, roughly equivalent to a Best Picture award, and past winners have gone on to major international recognition.
Director thanks jury for visibility
Accepting the prize, el-Toukhy thanked the jury and its president for drawing attention to the lack of equal opportunities for women filmmakers in the industry. Variety reported that she said the film had been incredibly challenging to make, financially, logistically and emotionally, and that what kept her going was the urgent need to shed light on the unknown women of shared history, to make them known. She added that on that particular night, she felt she had managed to do exactly that.
Lead actress takes Best Actress prize
By the end of the festival, lead actress Arcel had also won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. She said this was her first leading role in a film, her first time attending a film festival, and her first time winning an award.
The cast also includes Carsten Bjørnlund, Thorbjørn Hedegaard, Marina Bouras, Mia Plantin, Sofia Nolsøe, Flora Yde Sander, Mikael Birkkjær and Joen Højerslev.
Release plans
Following its premiere at Venice, "Woman Unknown" is scheduled for a commercial theatrical release on February 4, 2027. No release date has yet been announced in Brazil.
