Venice, Italy is preparing to host some of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the Venice Film Festival this week, including George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, and Brad Pitt. This return to a star-studded event comes after a lower-profile festival last year due to strikes. The festival, running from Aug. 28 through Sept. 7, serves as a significant platform for films launching into award season alongside Cannes.
This year’s lineup offers a mix of big Hollywood productions like “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 2”, and “Wolfs”, as well as a diverse selection of intriguing films from renowned filmmakers worldwide. The Venice Film Festival presents an opportunity for audiences to broaden their cinematic horizons and discover unexpected gems.
Some highlighted films at Venice include “Joker: Folie à Deux”, a sequel to the successful “Joker” film, presenting a dystopian musical described as daring and creative. Additionally, “Maria”, featuring Angelina Jolie in the role of opera singer Maria Callas, and “Queer”, directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Daniel Craig, are also anticipated entries seeking distribution.
Other notable films at the festival are Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut “The Room Next Door”, “Babygirl” starring Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas, and “The Brutalist” featuring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. These films explore a variety of themes and offer unique storytelling perspectives.
The nonfiction category at the festival presents innovative works including documentaries by Errol Morris, Asif Kapadia, Alex Ross Perry, and Andres Veiel. Among them, Wang Bing’s “Youth (Homecoming)” stands out for its observational approach to capturing the lives of Chinese migrant workers.
Looking ahead, Dea Kulumbegashvili’s “April” tackles social and ethical issues in rural Georgia, while Jude Law’s crime thriller “The Order” delves into the dark world of white supremacist groups. Additionally, Athina Rachel Tsangari’s “Harvest”, inspired by Jim Crace’s novel, and the AppleTV+ psychological thriller series “Disclaimer” by Alfonso Cuarón, offer audiences a diverse range of cinematic experiences.
As the Venice Film Festival unfolds, film enthusiasts can expect a dynamic and inspiring showcase of talent, storytelling, and creativity from filmmakers around the globe.