Venice, Sept 07: 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".

IANS