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Actor George Clooney received the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, delivering a moving speech on the power of art.
Speaking at the festivals opening ceremony, Clooney shared, Were living through a moment in time where the people in charge and people with the most money are telling us to fear one another. But we know better than that, dont we? Because history does teach us a lesson, as quoted by Variety. Referring to political turmoil, he further continued, The first people that authoritarians try to shut down are not politicians. Theyre journalists who ask questions, theyre the artists who refuse simple answers, the filmmakers, writers, actors and musicians who insist that someone you never met is deserving of your empathy. Clooney asserted that stories are dangerous to people who peddle in fear and people who are afraid of books and music. Prior to the big honour, George Clooney, during a press conference, also addressed Paramounts ongoing attempt to merge with Warner Bros, defending Marvel star Mark Ruffalo, who was accused by Paramount of anti-Semitic tropes. I support Mark Ruffalos ability to speak freely. Its ridiculous. Were not going to ban speech. I believe in free speech even when I completely disagree with it. Thats important. In fact, its part of how democracy works, he said. Describing the pending merger as a complicated thing, Clooney shared that he doesnt understand the purpose of it. I dont see how the merger financially ends up making sense for the people who are trying to do it. Well see. I worry when a big company swallows up another company. I always worry whenever big companies are consolidating because it means a lot of people are going to lose their jobs, he said. An Oscar winner, the actor is no stranger to Venice, having attended the past two editions with Wolfs and Jay Kelly. Besides the Golden Lion, Clooney is also set to deliver a masterclass at the festival on September 3. (ANI)
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