The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world and opens its 80th edition on Wednesday.
Here’s everything you need to know…
WHEN IS THE FESTIVAL OF VENICE?
The festival opens on August 30 with the premiere of the Italian World War II film Comandante, directed by Edoardo De Angelis. The event will run until September 9 and will conclude with a Spanish-language Netflix drama “Society of the Snow.”
WHERE IS IT HOLD?
The festival takes place on the Lido of Venice – the so-called Venice Beach – a thin barrier island in the Venetian Lagoon, a short boat ride from the capital Venice. Unlike Venice itself, cars can access the Lido.
WHY IS IT MONITORED SO CAREFULLY?
The festival marks the start of awards season and regularly produces big favorites for the Oscars. Eight of the past eleven Oscars for Best Director went to films that debuted in Venice.
Movie stars and directors traditionally like to travel to the lagoon city to launch their films.
However, this year will be a little less sparkle than usual as the Hollywood actors’ strike will stop many stars from promoting their work.
WHICH FILMS ARE SELECTED FOR THE FESTIVAL?
There are several categories that make up the official selection of films shown, the best of which are those competing for the coveted Golden Lion.
This year’s 23 contenders, in order of showing, are:
Comandante, Director: Edoardo De Angelis
El Conde Directed by: Pablo Larrain
Dogman Directed by: Luc Besson
Ferrari Directed by: Michael Mann
The Promised Land, director: Nikolaj Arcel
Poor things Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Finally dawn. Directed by: Saverio Costanzo
Master. Directed by: Bradley Cooper
Adagio, director: Stefano Sollima
Die Theorie Von Allem, directed by Timm Kroger
The Killer, directed by David Fincher
The beast. Directed by: Bertrand Bonello
Evil does not exist, directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Priscilla, director: Sofia Coppola
Green Border, Director: Agnieszka Holland
Enea, Pietro Castellitto
Origin, director: Ava DuVernay
I captain, director: Matteo Garrone
Lubo, director: Giorgio Diritti
Holly, director: Fien Troch
Woman Of, directed by: Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert
Memory, director: Michel Franco
Hors-Saison, director: Stephane Brize
ARE THERE MAJOR FILMS SHOWN OUTSIDE THE COMPETITION?
Like other festivals, Venice reserves a number of spots for interesting films that are screened out of competition.
This year’s offerings include The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial by American director William Friedkin, who passed away this month; Coup de Chance, Woody Allen’s first French-language film; ‘The Palace, by Roman Polanski; The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, a short feature film by Wes Anderson; Aggro Drift, directed by Harmony Korine and starring rapper Travis Scott.
