It is heartbreaking enough when we lose a great actor like Heath Ledger. When the news comes through as chaotically as it did yesterday, though, it heightens the tragedy. We all heard speculation, rumors and inconclusive reports about Ledger's death Tuesday, and while some of it was true, most of it was not. On the morning after, things don't feel any more concrete, but we at Cinematical would like to keep you updated on what is confirmed and what is still not definitively known. Also, we'd like to share the statements made by family and friends, all of whom are in our hearts today.

The only bit of information that could really be corroborated last evening was the time of Ledger's death and that he was discovered in his bedroom (in his apartment, not Mary Kate Olsen's) by his massage therapist. Anything else you heard, whether it had to do with scattered pills or type of pills, may have been exaggerated. And until a medical examiner issues a certain cause-of-death statement, we can't even be sure if any pills were involved in the incident. So far this morning, we have learned that an autopsy performed on Ledger has been ruled inconclusive. The medical examiner's office also told reporters that the investigation into the death will take about ten days.

Because both Italian film festivals apparently need all the glitz and glamor they can get, the Venice Fest this year will see the awarding of the first (annual?) Gucci Group Award, created to recognize "personalities outside the movie industry who have made a remarkable artistic contribution to film over the past 18 months." The most prominent among the nominees is Australian singer/songwriter Nick Cave who recently moved into screenwriting; The Proposition, which he scripted, has received world-wide acclaim. In addition to Cave and two others, Helena Christensen (!) is nominated for her acting work in Allegro, as are Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno for their direction of the innovative soccer doc Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait.

The winner will be announced on September 8 "during a gala ceremony held in the 14th century Palazzo Ducale on the Piazza San Marco." Ooh la la! Needless to say, all the attendees will be impeccably dressed.