George Clooney Receives Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion

George Clooney received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday, using his acceptance speech to highlight the importance of art and storytelling during times of political uncertainty.

“We’re living through a moment in time where the people in charge and people with the most money are telling us to fear one another,” Clooney said at the festival’s opening ceremony. He argued that authoritarian governments often target journalists and artists because they challenge simple narratives and encourage empathy.

“Stories are always dangerous to people who peddle in fear,” Clooney said. He added that while movies cannot stop wars, control inflation or fix elections, they can help people understand and care about strangers.

Clooney was presented with the award by his longtime friend and Jay Kelly co-star Laura Dern. In her speech, Dern praised his humanity, integrity and commitment to storytelling, while also joking about his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most handsome stars.

Brad Pitt also contributed a lighthearted message, praising Clooney’s many talents but warning that he should stay off the dance floor.

Earlier in the day, Clooney addressed political and industry issues at a press conference. He said he supported actor Mark Ruffalo’s right to criticize the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, while questioning whether the deal made financial sense.

Discussing the political situation in the United States, Clooney used the word “kakistocracy,” meaning government by the least qualified people. He said he believed the country would eventually return to greater political normalcy.

Clooney will also give a masterclass at the festival on Sept. 3, discussing his nearly five-decade career. He has received six Oscar nominations across acting, directing, producing and screenwriting categories, winning for supporting actor in Syriana and as a producer of Argo.

His best-known films include the Ocean’s series, The Descendants and Gravity. He has also directed films including Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Good Night, and Good Luck.