Kim Novak, 92, Receives Venice Lifetime Achievement Award

Hollywood legend Kim Novak, aged 92, received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, coinciding with the premiere of her new biographical documentary, Kim Novak's Vertigo. The documentary offers a candid and intimate portrayal of Novak's life, including her rise to fame in the 1950s, the struggles she faced with Hollywood's studio system, and her difficult childhood marked by poverty and family trauma. Novak reflects on aging and mortality in the film, sharing that she feels "it's close to the end" while expressing gratitude for her life's experiences. Despite past criticism for cosmetic procedures, Novak appeared glamorous and youthful at the festival, embracing her appearance as part of her identity. Her manager and the film’s executive producer emphasized the documentary’s revealing nature, highlighting that it unveils the true person behind the public persona and covers the hardships Novak endured. Overall, the film and award mark a significant moment of recognition and reflection for Novak as she reclaims her story in her own words.