The director of the festival, Alberto Barbera, commented: "The child of an artistic era (the '70s) full of innovative ferment, Brian De Palma has made a name for himself as one of the most skillful directors in constructing perfect narrative mechanics with great creative freedom, experimenting with new technical solutions, rejecting the classic rules of the language, abandoning himself to aesthetic virtuosity, and celebrating his favorite authors." Barbera continued: "When watching a movie by Brian De Palma, we revert to being basic spectators. Although our eyes are wide open to avoid falling into the trap, we know full well we're bound to fall into it anyway. De Palma's cinema is playful to the nth degree; it is a pleasure for the eyes and at the same time a game that tantalizes the cinephile. He has never lost the curiosity of the experimenter as he reinvents the already-seen, and when it comes to constructing and manipulating images, this fundamental trait makes De Palma one of the greatest innovators who came of age in the shadow of the New Hollywood." The award ceremony will take place on Sept. 9 at 9.30 pm in Palazzo del Cinema during the 72nd Venice International Film Festival (from Sept. 2 to 12). After the ceremony, the festival will screen the world premiere of the documentary 'De Palma' by Noah Baumbach and Jake Paltrow. (AGI)