Sofia Coppola's film wins top Venice prize

VENICE, Italy — Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere," the tale of an actor who sees the emptiness of his existence through the eyes of his child, won the top Golden Lion prize at the Venice Film Festival Saturday.

Director Quentin Tarantino headed the jury, which unanimously chose Coppola's film as the best movie at the 11-day annual festival.

The buzz in the final days of the festival had pegged "Somewhere" as a sure winner, and the jury appeared to have had no doubts, either.

"This film enchanted us from its first screening," Tarantino said at the closing ceremony, adding, "It has the artistry we were looking for in a Golden Lion" winner.

Coppola has described the film, which made its world premiere at Venice, as a "portrait of today's L.A."

"Somewhere" is the fourth feature by Coppola, who is also one of the few female directors ever to be nominated for an Academy Award — for "Lost in Translation".

In "Somewhere," Stephen Dorff plays a Hollywood star whose somewhat empty life is enriched by the arrival his daughter, 11, played by Elle Fanning. The film takes place nearly entirely in hotels, mostly the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.

Coppola, 39, grew up in the world of film, thanks to her father, director Francis Ford Coppola. When presenting the film, Coppola reminisced that she and her family spent a lot of time growing up in hotels where her father was on location while filming.

"Thanks to my dad for teaching me," Coppola said, accepting the award.