Venice Film Festival (1996)

A controversial film about Ireland’s struggle to shake off British rule scooped the top prizes at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday (7/9). The film “Michael Collins“ won both the Golden Lion and the best actor awards. At the film festival, Neeson’s award was accepted by actor Aidan Quinn. Neeson is in hospital in Padova, where he was operated on last week for an intestinal blockage. Other winners included the best actress award for four-year-old Victoire Thivisol for her role in “Ponette“.