‘Brokeback’ takes top Venice prize

Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain,” a story of the love that develops between two men in the mountains of Wyoming, took the top prize at the Venice Film Festival over the weekend, beating film festival favorite George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck.”

Both films are also screening at the Toronto film festival. “Brokeback” is adapted from a story by Annie Proulx and stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as cowboys whose relationship begins in 1963 and ends 20 years later.

Clooney won best screenplay with co-writer Grant Heslov, and David Strathairn won the best actor prize for his intense portrayal of journalist Edward R. Murrow, who used television to expose the bullying tactics of Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

Italian actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno was voted best actress for her role in Cristina Comencini’s “La Bestia nel Cuore” (Don’t Tell), a moving tale of adult siblings scarred by child abuse.