The 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival has just unveiled its remarkable program, featuring a compelling 23-film Competition lineup. The festival’s president, Roberto Cicutto, and artistic director, Alberto Barbera, proudly announced the roster, which boasts new creations from illustrious directors such as David Fincher, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, Yorgos Lanthimos, Bradley Cooper, and Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike in the United States, which has caused some disruption, Barbera assures that the impact on the selection has been relatively minor. Unfortunately, due to the strike, Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” had to be withdrawn as the opening film, making way for Edoardo De Angelis’ “Comandante.” Meanwhile, the festival’s closing film will be JA Bayona’s Spanish-language Netflix title, “Society Of The Snow.”
The Competition jury, presided over by Damien Chazelle, consists of esteemed members such as Jane Campion, Mia Hansen-Løve, Laura Poitras, Martin McDonagh, Saleh Bakri, Gabriele Mainetti, Santiago Mitre, and Shu Qi.
The lineup includes a range of outstanding films by acclaimed directors from various countries, making the Venice Film Festival a vibrant stage for European, Latin American, Asian, and American auteurs alike. Notably, the selection includes works by top U.S. filmmakers David Fincher, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, Michael Mann, Bradley Cooper, and Wes Anderson.
Although the SAG-AFTRA strike initially led to the removal of “Challengers” from the festival, Venice’s comprehensive lineup demonstrates that Hollywood’s labor strikes have not deterred the presence of compelling films and talent. Alberto Barbera expressed optimism that independent U.S. productions would be well represented by actors attending the event, even in light of the ongoing strikes.
Among the much-anticipated films, Bradley Cooper’s sophomore directorial effort, “Maestro,” stands out. Cooper, who achieved tremendous success with “A Star is Born” in 2018, will now grace the Lido with his portrayal of legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, alongside Carey Mulligan as Bernstein’s wife Felicia Montealegre. Additionally, another Netflix feature, David Fincher’s “The Killer,” promises to captivate audiences with its thrilling narrative, starring Michael Fassbender, Arliss Howard, and Tilda Swinton.
The Venice Film Festival’s 80th edition is set to take place from August 30 to September 9, offering an exceptional cinematic experience that transcends borders and showcases the diversity and brilliance of filmmaking worldwide.
photo credit: labiennale.org
