Fatih Akin's comedy "Soul Kitchen" is a romantic comedy following the fortunes of a restaurant and its owner, a scruffy looking German-Greek. The food isn't exactly top-notch in his locals-only restaurant, but his clientele remain loyal.

However, when Zinos, played by Adam Bousdoukos, brings in a more talented chef to improve the menu, the local's revolt is just the start of his problems.

Akin won the Golden Bear award at the 2004 Berlinale Film Festival for his more serious film "Head On," and in 2007 another weightier film, "Edge of Heaven," won him the screenplay award at Cannes. Akin said he wanted to stretch his wings and try something new this year.

"As a director, I want to make experiments, and I get bored with directors that make one style. I want to change and go on testing my style."

War dramas clinch big prizes

However, it was an entirely serious film that won the coveted Golden Lion prize for best film, the award that Akin was really eyeing with Soul Kitchen.

"Lebanon" by Israeli director Samuel Maoz, is set during the first day of Israel's 1982 conflict in Lebanon. It is shot from the perspective of soldiers holed up in a tank, and clever cinematography forces the audience to share the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere.

Maoz said earlier in the week that he was so traumatized by his real-life experience as a young soldier during the Lebanon war that it took him a quarter of a century to pluck up the courage to revisit his own past and make the movie.

But bragging rights amongst the directors belong to Iranian-born visual artist Shirin Neshat. Neshat won the Silver Lion award for best director for her film "Women Without Men." The tale follows the fate of four women during Iran's 1953 CIA-backed coup d'etat.

Honorable mentions

Russia's Ksenia Rappoport won the Coppa Volpi prize for best actress, for her role as a waitress who meets a former policeman on a speed date in the Italian noir thriller, "La Doppia Ora." Britain's Colin Firth won the best actor prize, for his portrayal of a discreet university professor coming to terms with the death of his gay lover in "A Single Man."

Meanwhile, the festival stole the headlines primarily for its political flavor this year. Controversial US director Michael Moore premiered his latest documentary entitled "Capitalism: A Love Story," and those familiar with his work will not be surprised to hear that the title is dripping with irony. Moore assaults Wall Street's wheeling and dealing, blaming excessive financial speculation for the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the bankruptcy of major banks and companies like General Motors.

Also, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stole a little of the limelight on his European diplomatic tour. Earlier in the week the controversial Latin American leader attended the premiere of Oliver Stone's "South of the Border" - a movie condemning what it portrays as a US smear campaign against Venezuela's socialist leader.

The awards ceremony on Saturday marked the end of the 66th Venice Film Festival, the world's oldest silver screen celebration.

msh/dpa/AP
Editor: Sonia Phalnikar