Well, one thing you can always guarantee with Tarantino is to expect surprises. I'd have never thought in a million years that he would award Sofia Coppola's 'Somewhere' the top prize at Venice (one wonders if its because she and QT used to date?!!)... but then again maybe its because she has made an amazing film similar to'Lost in Translation'. This film is now top of my to see list alongside the 'I'm Still Here' doc. Oh and another surprise, Vincent Gallo won best actor prize for 'Essential Killing' - I'd have thought he was an outsider too like Coppola although I have to admit that I am one of the very few who enjoyed 'The Brown Bunny.' :) 

I wonder what the future holds for the big film festivals, now that a female director working in the mainstream (I guess people could argue that she is an 'indie' film maker but I'd say that her films are more mainstream than the true American independents) has won a big award. Will more women directors and/or commercial films win the top awards? No doubt this film will be quite commercial whenever it is due for release which no doubt raise her and Stephen Dorff's profile (or help him escape B Movie hell!)