Joker, Todd Phillips’ mordant spin on Gotham’s grinning antihero, has won the Golden Lion award at the 76th Venice film festival, The Guardian reports.
The film, which stars Joaquin Phoenix as a would-be standup comic, was ecstatically received at its premiere on the Lido last weekend, with critics immediately tipping it to be the first superhero film to take the best picture Oscar.
Phoenix gives Gotham's grinning villain a new face. The character was previously played by Jared Leto in "Suicide Squad" and Heath Ledger in "the Dark Knight."
During his acceptance speech, Phillips thanked "Warner Bros. and DC for stepping out of their comfort zone and taking such a bold swing on me and this movie," CNN reports citing to The Hollywood Reporter.
Phillips also thanked Phoenix, who joined him on stage.
"There is no movie without Joaquin Phoenix. Joaquin is the fiercest and brightest and most open-minded lion I know. Thank you for trusting me with your insane talent," said Phillips.