Source: The Canadian Press
Hollywood's brightest stars, including George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, and Brad Pitt, are set to grace the Venice Film Festival this week. Their presence is a refreshing change after last year’s subdued edition, which was affected by industry strikes. However, the true focus will be on the films they are promoting. Running from August 28 through September 7, Venice, alongside Cannes, remains a pivotal stage for launching films into awards season. Movies that perform well here are likely to be major contenders in the lead-up to the Oscars in March.
This year’s lineup is diverse, featuring both major Hollywood productions like "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" and "Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 2," as well as a wide range of films from international auteurs. For festival-goers, it’s best to keep an open mind and see as many films as possible, as unexpected gems often emerge. Here’s a look at 10 highly anticipated films at Venice this year:
"Joker: Folie à Deux" (Sept. 4)
The sequel to the 2019 hit "Joker" returns to Venice in competition, promising to be a fresh and daring departure from the original. Described by Venice’s artistic director Alberto Barbera as a dystopian musical, the film is set to hit theaters on October 4.
"Maria" (Aug. 29)
Directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín, "Maria" stars Angelina Jolie as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. Known for his nuanced portrayals of tragic female figures in "Spencer" and "Jackie," Larraín teams up with screenwriter Steven Knight to bring Callas's tumultuous life to the screen.
"Queer" (Sept. 3)
Luca Guadagnino adapts William S. Burroughs’ novel "Queer," with Daniel Craig in a lead role that Venice’s Barbera has called "career defining." Set in 1950s Mexico City, the film follows an American expatriate’s obsessive journey, and is seeking distribution.
"The Room Next Door" (Sept. 2)
Pedro Almodóvar makes his English-language debut with this drama starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. Though details are scarce, the film explores complex themes of family, war, and the simple pleasures of life, with a release scheduled for December.
"Babygirl" (Aug. 30)
Halina Reijn directs this erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman as a CEO entangled in an affair with a younger intern. The film, co-starring Antonio Banderas, will be released by A24 in December.
"The Brutalist" (Sept. 1)
Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist" is a 3 1/2-hour drama that chronicles an architect's journey from post-war Europe to America. With performances by Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, this film, while not for everyone, is sure to spark conversation.
"Youth (Homecoming)" (Sept. 6)
Wang Bing’s documentary "Youth (Homecoming)" completes his trilogy on Chinese migrant workers. It’s the only nonfiction film in the main competition and follows the lives of textile factory workers in Zhili over five years.
"April" (Sept. 5)
Georgian filmmaker Dea Kulumbegashvili’s "April" explores the challenges faced by a rural OB-GYN in Georgia. Following the success of her debut film "Beginning," "April" is generating buzz as a potential festival standout.
"The Order" (Aug. 31)
Jude Law stars in and produces this crime thriller about a white supremacist group suspected of a series of crimes in the Pacific Northwest. Directed by Justin Kurzel, the film will be released in December.
"Harvest" (Sept. 3)
Athina Rachel Tsangari returns with "Harvest," a medieval drama set in an English village. The film, starring Caleb Landry Jones, is based on the Jim Crace novel and is expected to captivate audiences with its historical narrative.
