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At Venice, Ellen Burstyn reflects on playing Marilyn Monroe and a lifetime in movies

PUBLISHED Sep 7, 2026, 11:33 AM ET

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At Venice, Ellen Burstyn reflects on playing Marilyn Monroe and a lifetime in movies

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Sources: 33

Left 33%

Center 48%

Right 18%

Sources: 33

Legendary actress Ellen Burstyn accepted the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the eighty-third Venice International Film Festival. At ninety-three years old, Burstyn traveled to the Lido to receive the prestigious honor and debuted her role in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s short film Flesh Impact. In the production, Burstyn portrays a one-hundred-year-old interpretation of Marilyn Monroe during a stark stage audition. During festival panels, Burstyn discussed her career, attributing her cinematic longevity to rigorous technical training at the Actors Studio. Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera praised her contributions to American cinema. Industry peers and critics commended her continuous dedication to complex, vulnerable performances, defying conventional career retrospectives.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

September 1, 1932 — On September 1, 1932, Ellen Burstyn was born in Detroit, Michigan.
March 25, 1975 — On March 25, 1975, Burstyn won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
November 16, 2000 — On November 16, 2000, Requiem for a Dream premiered featuring her performance.
November 5, 2014 — On November 5, 2014, Interstellar debuted in theaters with her featured role.
July 14, 2026 — On July 14, 2026, Venice organizers announced her lifetime achievement award selection.
September 2, 2026 — On September 2, 2026, the eighty-third Venice Film Festival officially opened.
September 6, 2026 — On September 6, 2026, preview screenings for festival shorts commenced.
September 7, 2026 — On September 7, 2026, Burstyn officially received the Golden Lion award.
September 7, 2026 — On September 7, 2026, Flesh Impact premiered on the festival Lido.
Coming months will showcase her ongoing film projects globally.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: American audiences celebrate enduring achievements in classic cinema history.
Possible long-term US impact: Future cinematic projects will incorporate seasoned veteran actors globally.
Most affected groups: Actors, filmmakers, entertainment executives, cultural historians, and festival attendees.
Reader priority: Prioritize verified festival announcements over unverified social media commentary.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 33
Right Leaning:: 6
Left Leaning:: 11
Neutral:: 16

Explain Framing

Left: Highlighting feminist perspectives, historical progression, and women's artistic independence. Center: Reporting factual details regarding festival events and career achievements neutrally. Right: Emphasizing traditional artistic excellence, discipline, and cultural heritage contributions.