Danish filmmaker May el-Toukhy's post-war drama "Woman Unknown" won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, with its star Mathilde Arcel also taking best actress honours in a rare double victory. El-Toukhy was the only woman to solely direct a feature film in the main, 21-strong movie line-up, a disparity that drew criticism during the festival and prompted renewed scrutiny of the barriers facing women in cinema.

Set in the aftermath of World War Two, "Woman Unknown" follows a housemaid played by Arcel whose past relationship with a German soldier threatens to destroy her future. The film unfolds against the backdrop of a newly liberated Denmark, where women accused of fraternising with occupying German forces were often subjected to vigilante justice. "To me personally, 'Woman Unknown' is about the female body as a battleground and a public matter. And at the same time, the film tells the tale of women who are invisible, unseen, and voiceless," el-Toukhy said in her acceptance speech.

South Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong took the runner-up Silver Lion award for "Possible Love", while Russian-born filmmaker Ilya Khrzhanovsky won best director for "DAU", a hugely ambitious project shot largely in Ukraine before the ongoing war that has attracted intense scrutiny and controversy. Khrzhanovsky, who has renounced his Russian citizenship and is a fierce critic of Moscow, dedicated his prize to Ukraine.

John Malkovich was named best actor for his performance as an ageing, maverick CIA agent in Martin McDonagh's razor-sharp comedy "Wild Horse Nine". "I am humbled to be chosen for this award which has been given to so many wonderful actors," said Malkovich, speaking via a video link from Canada, where he is shooting a new project. The Venice festival marks the start of the awards season and regularly throws up big favourites for the Oscars.