Philip Seymour Hoffman pays tribute to Joaquin Phoenix as they BOTH win Best Actor at Venice Film Festival

PUBLISHED: 14:31 EST, 9 September 2012 | UPDATED: 01:55 EST, 10 September 2012

American stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix were named as joint recipients of the Best Actor prize at the Venice Film Festival today.

However with Joaquin absent, it was up to Philip to accept the accolade for both of them as they were celebrated for their performances in The Master.

The film, which was also named Silver Lion for Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, was inspired by Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard.

So excited: Philip Seymour Hoffman reacts after being awarded the Coppa Volpi (Best Actor) prize at the Venice Film Festival closing ceremony

Overwhelmed: Philip shakes hands with Austrian film director Ulrich Seidl as they accept their prizes

Accepting his award, Hoffman said: 'Joaquin Phoenix is a life force in this film ... and I kind of rode that life force and that was my performance.

'It was really riding his life force because it was something that was untameable and my job was to try to and it was almost impossible, which is kind of the movie.'

The film tells the story of a sect leader (Philip), who takes a drifter (Joaquin) to become his right-hand man.

Pretty in pink: Juror, French model Laetitia Casta looked stunning in a pink gown

Philip also paid tribute to the film's absent director, saying: 'Friend first, collaborator second. And he happens to be one of the great film-makers.'

Rather controversially, it was South Korean film Pieta which won the Golden Lion for the best film.

The Hollywood Reporter claimed the jury were prevented from naming The Master the best film prize because it had already won two other prizes.

Triumphant: Director Kim ki-duk shows the Golden Lion for Pieta (left) and director Wang Bing with her Orizzonti Best Film award for San Zimei

Festival rules said no one film can win more than two awards, so the jury were forced to consult again.

Pieta director Kim Ki-duk said: '"I am not trying to earn money with my films. I shot 'Pieta' with the equivalent of $100,000.

'My aim is to take the temperature of the world from time to time.

'We Koreans sing it when we feel lonely or abandoned but also when we are happy. It symbolises the many hills we have to cross - from sadness to joy - the meanders of life.'

Meanwhile, Hadas Yaron won Best Actress for Fill The Void.

The jury, which was headed by American director Michael Mann, also included French model Laetitia Casta.

Decision time: The jury was apparently torn between two films for the Best Film prize

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LOVE Laetitia's hair & style! It seems her hair has natural body to it. Very pretty look. They say a ladies priceless Mink is her hair. 10 points for Mademoiselle Casta!

- Prudence , San Francisco, 10/9/2012 14:19

Click to rate Rating 5

I love Joaquin Phoenix. He should have won the Academy Awards he was nominated for, for playing Commodus in Gladiator and Johnny Cash in Walk the Line

- Wotsit1 , Wokingham, United Kingdom, 10/9/2012 07:53

Click to rate Rating 30

PT Anderson is truly one of the great filmmakers out there. Can't wait to see The Master!

- slickchrissy , las vegas, 10/9/2012 07:02

Click to rate Rating 19

The Master looks amazing and PSH is a class actor going to go down in history as one of the greatest.

- jamie , bolton, 10/9/2012 06:51

Click to rate Rating 42

PSH is a fantastic actor so why can't he afford a bar of soap? Always looks like he needs a good scrub down.

- Lizard , Florence, 10/9/2012 05:27

Click to rate Rating 3

Might be time for a diet, a haircut and a professional shave, Philip.