The Venice Film Festival takes place from September 1 to 11 in the historic Palazzo del Cinema, on the Lido of Venice. Since 2004, films are presented in four sections: In concorso (competition), Orizzonti (Horizons), La Settimana della Critica (Critics’ Week) and Giornate degli Autori, (equivalent to the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes). At the end of the festival, the Golden Lion will be awarded, so coveted by the directors.
This 78th edition is chaired by Bong Joon-ho, Korean director of “Parasite” and among the jurors, we find the actress Virginie Efira and the American director of Chinese origin Chloe Zhao (“Nomadland“).
Organizers hope a strict coronavirus protocol will help prevent any problems during the 11-day movie marathon. Theaters are operating at half capacity and a wall blocks the view of the red carpet to prevent crowds from gathering outside for autographs. Naturally, masks and health passports (or a negative PCR test) are required to attend screenings.
Spanish director Pedro Almodovar kicks off the festival with the film “Parallel Mothers.” Penelope Cruz plays one of two single women about to give birth in the same hospital.
After the restrictions of last year and the absence of many nominees, it is a change of atmosphere in this fall: the Mostra will mark the return in force of the big names in cinema with 59 countries represented, and Hollywood studios well present.
“The Americans have come out of their confinement and are ready to start again,” said Mostra director Alberto Barbera, presenting this edition. And overall, “the quality of films has been higher than usual, as if the pandemic had stimulated creativity.”
Three French films are in the running: “Another World”, a social drama by Stéphane Brizé, “Lost Illusions“, where Xavier Giannoli adapts Balzac, and “The Event“, an adaptation of a novel by Annie Ernaux on abortion by Audrey Diwan for the first time in competition.
The event will also be held out of competition, where will be presented “Dune“, a new version of the mythical space-opera by the Canadian Denis Villeneuve. Ridley Scott will also be on the bill, with The Last Duel, which marks the reunion of the Matt Damon/Ben Affleck duo on screen and in the script.
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