George Clooney Calls Out ‘Authoritarians’ and ‘People Who Peddle in Fear’ in Moving Venice Golden Lion Speech: They’re ‘Never the Heroes in History’ 

By Ellise Shafer

Ellise Shafer

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George Clooney delivered a moving speech about the power of art in times of political turmoil at Venice Film Festival on Wednesday night, saying: “Stories are always dangerous to people who peddle in fear.”

The Oscar winner was on hand at the festival’s opening ceremony to accept the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, which he poked fun at in the beginning of his speech. “You know, when they tell you that you’re gonna be getting a lifetime achievement award, there are really two things that come to mind,” he said. “The first is what an incredible honor this is. And then the second is, uh, do they know something that I don’t?”

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