From correspondents in Europe, 03:00 AM IST

American director Darren Aronofsky's 'The Wrestler' starring Mickey Rourke as a over-the-hill wrestler won the Golden Lion award for best film at the Venice Film Festival Saturday.

For the New York-based Aronofsky it was a case of 'last, but definitely not least' since the screening of his film closed the official competition at this year's edition - the 65th - of the world' oldest film festival.

There was also joy on the home front when the Best Actor award went to Italian Silvio Orlando for his role as the protective father of a mentally challenged daughter in compatriot director Pupi Avati's 'Il Papa di Giovanna' (Giovanna's Father).

French actress Dominique Blanc picked up the Best Actress award for her role as a middle-aged woman on the verge of madness in French pair Patrick Mario Bernard and Pierre Trividic's film 'L'Autre'.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)