Bravissimo! Tim Burton receives Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from Venice Film Festival

Tim Burton Day at the Venice Film Festival was a triumph for the director–clips from his upcoming SWEENEY TODD received a rapturous reception, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS was shown in 3-D, and Burton himself was honored with a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, presented by his friend (and six-time leading man) Johnny Depp. “Tim is a rare breed in today’s cinema: he is a true original, a true artist, a true auteur,” Johnny told the crowd. “He’s my favorite director and friend. So . . . let’s give him the thing, man.” Accepting the Golden Lion, Burton said it was “the best honor I’ve ever received.” Earlier in the day, at a press conference, Burton spoke at some length about the warm reception his films have received at previous Venice festivals and the place Venice holds in his heart: “This city is like cinema itself,” he said. “It’s very, very special.” And to receive its Golden Lion “means a lot to me.” Alluding briefly to the fact that he is several decades younger than the typical recipient of a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, Burton quipped, “I’m older than I look.”

The Zone thanks everyone who has posted news, pictures, and video from Venice on the site today. To see a larger version of the photo of Johnny and Tim, click here: http://tinyurl.com/2kwnq7 and to see a different photo from the Golden Lion ceremony, click here: http://tinyurl.com/2pbqxe Thanks to Carasun and AnaMaria for those pictures, and emma for the Variety article. You can read that in full on the Zone’s News & Views forum. –Part-Time Poet

BREAKING NEWS–Johnny Depp arrives at Venice airport for Tim Burton Day!

The photo at left shows a dapper Johnny Depp as he arrived at the Venice airport today; later tonight he will present his longtime friend and collaborator, director Tim Burton, with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival. Johnny arrived wearing a white shirt, navy pinstripe pants, a grey vest, and a white double-breasted jacket with a long dark green scarf at the neckline. He was also wearing a taupe fedora and his familiar blue sunglasses. Many, many thanks to AnaMaria for the airport photos–to see a larger version of the photo at left, click here: http://tinyurl.com/2olk65 Johnny has recently cut his hair, as you can see in this photo from the airport: http://tinyurl.com/34dsp5 Other revelations will have to wait for later this evening and the Golden Lion presentation, as (contrary to previous rumors) Johnny did not attend the press conference. Zone members can hear Tim Burton’s press conference on our Video Clips forum–many thanks to Susanne and Theresa for posting the videos. –Part-Time Poet