Quote from Alex bobby on June 9, 2025, 1:14 PM

Kim Novak to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Venice Film Festival

Hollywood legend Kim Novak, 92, is set to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at this year’s Venice Film Festival, a prestigious recognition of her timeless impact on cinema. Best known for her haunting dual role in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 masterpiece Vertigo, Novak’s trailblazing career is being celebrated not only for her unforgettable performances but also for her independence and courage in challenging the constraints of the old Hollywood studio system.

A Golden Era Icon

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Kim Novak was one of the most bankable stars in the world. Her performances in iconic films such as Joshua Logan’s Picnic (1955), Otto Preminger’s The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), and of course, Hitchcock’s Vertigo, secured her place in film history.

In Vertigo, she portrayed both the enigmatic blonde Madeleine Elster and the vulnerable shopgirl Judy Barton, a performance that has since become one of the most critically examined in cinematic history. When the British Film Institute's Sight and Sound poll named Vertigo the greatest film of all time in 2012, it confirmed Novak's legacy as a central figure in one of cinema’s most acclaimed works. The film ranked second in the 2022 edition of the poll.

Novak also left a mark with her performances in Billy Wilder’s Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) and Richard Quine’s Bell, Book and Candle (1958) and Strangers When We Meet (1960), showcasing her versatility beyond the suspense genre.

Honouring an Independent Spirit

The Venice Film Festival will also host the world premiere of the documentary Kim Novak’s Vertigo by filmmaker Alexandre Philippe, created in collaboration with Novak herself. The documentary aims to shed new light on her experience filming Vertigo, as well as her personal reflections on fame and identity.

Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera praised Novak not only for her iconic roles but also for her strength and independence within a male-dominated industry. “Inadvertently becoming a screen legend, Kim Novak was one of the most beloved icons of an entire era of Hollywood films… She never refrained from criticising the studio system, choosing her roles, who she let into her private life, and even her name,” said Barbera.

Novak’s real name, Marilyn Pauline Novak, was partially stripped away by Columbia Pictures, who insisted she drop “Marilyn” to avoid confusion with Monroe. Though she reluctantly agreed to dye her hair platinum blonde, Novak insisted on keeping her surname—a small but telling example of her refusal to be completely molded by Hollywood expectations.

She later formed her own production company and famously went on strike to demand equal pay, highlighting her long-standing advocacy for fairness in the film industry.

Life After Hollywood

In 1966, at the height of her fame, Novak walked away from Hollywood on her own terms, retreating to a ranch in Oregon to focus on painting and raising horses. Though she’s remained mostly out of the spotlight since then, she’s occasionally returned for interviews and retrospectives, including a controversial appearance at the 2014 Academy Awards.

After facing public criticism about her appearance, including a comment from Donald Trump mocking her looks, Novak stood up to online bullying with a powerful open letter. “I will no longer hold myself back from speaking out against bullies,” she wrote. “We need to stand up to them in a healthy way by speaking out, working out, and acting out.”

Her dignified response resonated with fans and underscored her resilience—just one more reason she remains a beloved figure among cinephiles.

A Fitting Tribute

On receiving the Golden Lion, Novak said she is “deeply touched” by the recognition. “To be recognised for my body of work at this time in my life is a dream come true,” she said. “I will treasure every moment I spend in Venice. It will fill my heart with joy.”

The 82nd Venice Film Festival, running from 27 August to 6 September, will also honour German director Werner Herzog with a lifetime achievement award. The full lineup of films is expected to be announced in late July.

For now, Novak’s celebration marks a poignant moment for film lovers worldwide—a chance to honour a woman whose artistry, grace, and fierce independence shaped an unforgettable era of cinema.

Conclusion:

Kim Novak’s recognition with the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award is a powerful tribute to a woman who defined an era of cinema and defied Hollywood’s expectations. From her unforgettable role in Vertigo to her courageous stand against the industry's pressures, Novak remains an enduring symbol of talent, resilience, and artistic integrity. As the Venice Film Festival honours her legacy, film lovers around the world are reminded of the timeless power of her performances—and the strength of a woman who lived on her own terms.