Hollywood Stars Shine Bright at the 81st Venice Film Festival

• High Praise for Star Power: The festival is seeing a return of Hollywood’s top talent, including Lady Gaga, Brad Pitt, Daniel Craig, and George Clooney. The influx of A-list celebrities is a refreshing change after the recent Hollywood strikes that kept many stars away. The event has been described as “a much-needed boost of Hollywood pizzazz” at Venice’s Lido, reflecting the excitement and glamor that these stars bring to the festival​ Voice of America
• Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”: This long-awaited sequel to the 1988 cult classic has been a highlight of the festival. With Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder reprising their roles, the film’s premiere has been eagerly anticipated. Critics have noted the nostalgic appeal and the film’s potential to draw both fans of the original and new viewers​ Voice of America

The Venice Film Festival is set to dazzle as Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Angelina Jolie and George Clooney, prepare to light up the sandy Lido this week. The 81st edition of the prestigious event kicks off on Wednesday, bringing a wave of glamour back to the canals of Venice. The festival boasts 21 films competing for the coveted Golden Lion prize, with A-listers like Lady Gaga, Daniel Craig, and Brad Pitt expected to grace the red carpet during the 10-day celebration.

This year’s festival is especially exciting after the absence of many stars last year due to Hollywood strikes, which kept several major studio films and their high-profile actors away from the world’s oldest film festival, known as “La Mostra.” The much-anticipated sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” directed by Tim Burton, opens the festival out of competition on Wednesday, featuring the return of Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder in their original roles.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are getting ready to descend on the Venice Film Festival this week, from George Clooney and Angelina Jolie to Lady Gaga and Brad Pitt. https://t.co/dLJXg8fY4W

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) August 26, 2024

Among the high-profile entries vying for the top prize are Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the sequel to the 2019 film that won at Venice, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. Another contender is “Queer,” directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Daniel Craig, which is based on the novel by William Burroughs set in 1940s Mexico City. Angelina Jolie leads in “Maria,” a biopic of the opera singer Maria Callas by Chilean director Pablo Larrain, who returns to Venice after his success with “Spencer” in 2021. Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas star in the erotic thriller “Babygirl,” directed by Dutch filmmaker Halina Reijn.

The festival’s first full day will see “Maria” premiere on Thursday, followed by “Wolfs,” a film featuring Jolie’s ex-husband Brad Pitt, which screens out of competition on Sunday. Adding to the excitement, “The Room Next Door,” directed by Venice regular Pedro Almodovar and starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, marks Almodovar’s first full-length film in English. “The Order,” by Australian director Justin Kurzel, features Jude Law as an FBI agent delving into a terror ring in the Pacific Northwest.

The opening night will introduce the international jury, led by French actress Isabelle Huppert as its president. Additionally, Sigourney Weaver will be honored with an honorary Golden Lion for her lifetime achievements, celebrating her iconic role in “Alien” among others. Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga,” a Western epic, will also debut its second installment out of competition, following its first part’s premiere at Cannes.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are getting ready to descend on the Venice Film Festival this week, from George Clooney and Angelina Jolie to Lady Gaga and Brad Pitt. https://t.co/TEKmkQ1xJ4

— WCCB Charlotte’s CW (@WCCBCharlotte) August 26, 2024

The Venice Film Festival, running until September 7, has gained a reputation for showcasing films that later achieve Oscar glory, with past winners like “Poor Things,” “Nomadland,” and “Joker” making their mark. Unlike the Cannes Film Festival, Venice welcomes films from streaming services into its main competition, giving platforms like Netflix and Apple TV a prominent stage to launch titles such as “Maestro” and “Roma.” This year, Apple TV’s “Disclaimer,” a thriller series starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, and Sacha Baron Cohen, also makes its debut.

As the festival unfolds, audiences and critics alike are eager to see which films will stand out and possibly set the stage for the upcoming awards season.

More

• Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux”: The sequel to the 2019 hit “Joker” features Joaquin Phoenix alongside Lady Gaga. Industry commentators have called it a “bold follow-up” to the original, with expectations high for another standout performance from Phoenix and a compelling turn from Gaga in her new role​ Voice of America
• Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer”: Starring Daniel Craig, this adaptation of the William S. Burroughs novel has been described as a “dark and daring narrative,” with Craig’s performance as a U.S. expatriate in Mexico City being one of the most talked-about of the festival. Guadagnino’s return to Venice is being closely watched by critics and fans alike​ Screen
• The Impact of Streaming Services: Unlike other major film festivals, Venice has embraced streaming service-produced films in competition, with Netflix and Apple TV+ premiering high-profile titles. This has prompted discussions about the evolving landscape of film distribution and the role of festivals in bridging traditional cinema with new digital platforms​ Voice of America

Key Points:

i. The 81st Venice Film Festival starts this week with a star-studded lineup, including Angelina Jolie and George Clooney.

ii. The festival opens with the highly anticipated sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” directed by Tim Burton.

iii. Notable films in competition include “Joker: Folie à Deux” and “Queer,” while “Maria,” a Maria Callas biopic, premieres on the first full day.

iv. The festival honors Sigourney Weaver with a lifetime achievement award and introduces Pedro Almodovar’s first full-length English film.

v. Venice’s open policy to streaming services allows platforms like Netflix and Apple TV to compete alongside traditional films, showcasing their newest releases.

Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News