Vita gazette – A fascination with Italy, George Clooney, known for having a home in Como and for living in Italy whenever possible, came to Venice with his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. But this time, he was on the island not for himself, but for his wife Amal, who received the DVF Leadership Award for her work on behalf of victims of human rights violations during the time of star rains…

George and Amal Clooney have arrived in Venice. The human rights lawyer is not in the Lagoon for the Film Festival but to collect an award. The married couple were seen leaving their hotel in Venice, Italy, on Thursday (August 31) shortly before the 2023 DVF Awards. Holding Amal’s hand, George led her to a waiting water taxi as they departed for the ceremony, where she was honoured with the DVF Leadership Prize. The award celebrates the importance of women’s achievements in various fields. The DVF Awards are held annually in conjunction with the Venice Film Festival. Five awards are presented to women who have demonstrated leadership, strength and courage in their endeavours for women’s causes.

He introduces himself: “Hi, I’m George. This is my wife, Amal.” Here is George Clooney in a dark suit with the usual legendary smile on his face, arm in arm with Amal.

The concomitance of the Venice Film Festival with the arrival of Amal and George Clooney in the Lagoon has made their presence suspicious: Will we see them on the red carpet of Venice 80? For now, it seems not. The couple is in Venice not to promote a film but because Amal Clooney will be rewarded for her humanitarian commitment. August 31 marks the 14th annual Diane von Furstenberg Awards (DVF Awards), founded more than ten years ago by Diane von Furstenberg and The Diller von Furstenberg Family Foundation to champion women’s voices dedicated to supporting other women.

It is here, in reality, as the companion of his wife Amal, one of the most highly regarded human rights lawyers in the world, who received the DVF Leadership Award for his work on behalf of victims of human rights abuses around the world, together with, among others, the Secretary General of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed, the environmental and human rights activist Helena Gualinga. Among the guests are, among others, Emma Thompson, Rita Ora and Nancy Pelosi, the emeritus speaker of the American Congress.

George smiles; he seems very happy to be in Venice: “It’s beautiful; this is where I got married. First we went for a tour in Amman, where we had the wedding party. It is the most romantic city in the world”. Then, to kindly leave the scene, he looks around and asks us: “But where is my wife? I lost her”. No, George, she went to say hello to Diane Von Furstenberg, who shakes everyone’s hand, laughs, and makes jokes. Emma Thompson also arrives; they compliment each other on how well they are, tease each other a little, hug each other, and take a picture together. Then George joins Amal; they enter the awards ceremony: she will go on stage, and he will be in the audience. And in her acceptance speech, she gives him and all of us a declaration of love: “It all started here in Venice nine years ago. And now we’re here together.”

Now in its 14th edition, and after having awarded women from over 30 countries around the world, this year Diane von Furstenberg and The Diller von Furstenberg Family Foundation presented the DVF Leadership Awards as well as Amal Clooney, the United Nations Deputy Secretary Amina J Mohammed; to the Ecuadorian activist Helena Gualinga for her work in defence of the environment and human rights; to world expert on the implications of artificial intelligence Joy Buolamwini; to actress, activist and YouTuber Lilly Singh.