Nicole Kidman Unable to Accept Venice Acting Prize in Person Due to Mother’s Death: ‘My Heart Is Broken’
Nicole Kidman won the best actress prize at Venice Film Festival for her performance in “Babygirl” on Saturday night, but was not on hand to accept the prize because of some devastating news.
After Kidman’s name was announced, “Babygirl” director Halina Reijn took the stage and delivered written remarks in place of Kidman, revealing that the actor had traveled to Venice to attend the ceremony but had to leave due to news of her mother’s death.
“Today, I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after my brave and beautiful mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, had just passed,” Kidman wrote. “I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her.”
The statement continued, “She shaped me, she guided me and she made me. I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina. The collision of life and art is heartbreaking. My heart is broken.”
Kidman’s mother was a nursing instructor and was a member of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, an Australian feminist group.
Kidman was one of the big acting winners on Saturday night at the Venice Film Festival Awards, alongside Vincent Lindon, who won the best actor prize for “The Quiet Son” and Paul Kircher, whose performance in “And Their Children After Them” earned him the best young actor award.
Pedro Almodóvar took home the most prestigious award of the night, the Golden Lion for best film, with his “The Room Next Door” starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. Elsewhere, Brady Corbet earned the Silver Lion for best director for “The Brutalist.”