Headline: Hollywood Absent as Venice Film Festival Shines Spotlight on Directors
Subhead: Festival Lineup Diversifies as Non-American Faces Garner Media Attention
The highly anticipated Venice Film Festival is underway, but this year it is notably absent of Hollywood stars. Due to the ongoing US actors’ strike, many notable celebrities are staying away, leaving directors to take center stage. As a result, non-American faces are gaining more attention from the media.
Despite the strike, some films, such as “Ferrari” starring Adam Driver and Sofia Coppola’s biopic “Priscilla,” have managed to secure interim agreements with the actors’ union, Sag-Aftra. However, uncertainty looms over which other celebrities will make an appearance, increasing pressure on behind-the-camera names to generate interest.
The festival lineup boasts a mix of revered directors like Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay, and David Fincher, as well as controversial figures such as Woody Allen and Roman Polanski. Notably absent from the festival is Luca Guadagnino, whose film “Challengers” was pulled due to the ongoing strike.
The replacement opener, “Comandante” by Edoardo De Angelis, stands out with its unique Italian submarine epic theme, a rare genre. The film tells the gripping true story of Salvatore Todaro, a World War II submarine commander who sank a ship and then rescued its survivors. With impressive production values and a captivating performance by Pierfrancesco Favino, “Comandante” tackles the fascist-era navy’s heroism while critiquing the current Italian government’s policy toward rescuing migrant boats.
Another notable film in the competition is “El Conde” by Chilean director Pablo Larraín. The satirical portrayal of Chile’s Pinochet years with a supernatural twist has garnered attention for its stunning visual aesthetics. However, criticism has been leveled at the film for being too slow-paced.
On the other hand, Luc Besson’s “Dogman” has been deemed one of the festival’s worst films, with viewers accusing it of featuring racist stereotypes and exaggerated melodrama. Contrasting this, Michael Mann’s “Ferrari” has emerged as a standout film, focusing on a defining year in Enzo Ferrari’s life and impressing audiences with its authentic Eurodrama style, real locations, and thrilling driving sequences. The star-studded cast including Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz, and Shailene Woodley has received praise for their performances.
Moving forward, festival-goers can look forward to upcoming highlights such as Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein drama “Maestro,” David Fincher’s “The Killer,” and Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s “Evil Does Not Exist.” Additionally, Quentin Dupieux presents a comedy about Salvador Dalí titled “Daaaaaali!”
With a diverse range of films creating both excitement and criticism, the Venice Film Festival promises to continue its tradition of showcasing the best of international cinema.
“Social media scholar. Reader. Zombieaholic. Hardcore music maven. Web fanatic. Coffee practitioner. Explorer.”