Italian
Venice Film Festival: A Cinematic Extravaganza
A labor of love: Crafting the perfect lineup
The Venice Film Festival’s artistic director recently shared insights into the meticulous process of curating this year’s star-studded lineup. Describing his efforts as akin to “toiling for the past nine months like a factory worker on an assembly line at a Chaplinesque pace,” he unveiled a selection that promises to be one of the festival’s best yet.
A diverse and dynamic selection
The 81st edition of the festival boasts a geographically balanced mix of renowned filmmakers and emerging talents. The lineup spans a wide range of genres, from pure entertainment to highly political works, and marks the return of erotically charged cinema. This year’s selection reflects the ambitions and guidelines of the festival, bringing together great auteur cinema, spectacular public cinema, discoveries, debut filmmakers, and unexpected gems. It aims to provide a comprehensive picture of contemporary cinema in all its diverse components.
The American presence: A blend of mainstream and indie
Securing American films for the festival wasn’t particularly challenging, despite a slowdown in production due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. Many of the American films featured this year are independent productions, even if their distribution is handled by major studios. Notably absent this year are films from Netflix, which has been a fixture at Venice in the past. The streaming giant is currently in a transitional phase, but they are expected to return next year with a slate of great titles by renowned auteurs.
The return of eroticism: A bold new era
This year’s festival marks a true return to eroticism after years of respectability and self-censorship. Films like A24’s ”Babygirl,” starring Nicole Kidman, explore themes of sexuality in bold and innovative ways. “Babygirl” delves into a sadomasochistic relationship within an American corporation, with a modern twist that sets it apart from similar films of the past.
The most erotic work at Venice this year is the Alfonso Cuaron-directed TV series “Disclaimer,” starring Cate Blanchett. The fourth episode of the series is particularly extreme, pushing the boundaries of on-screen sexuality. Another notable film is Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud’s “Love,” which completes a trilogy dealing with modern sexual behaviors in a frank and direct manner.
Queer cinema: Breaking boundaries
The festival also features “Queer,” a film that tackles themes of drug addiction and sexual attraction to men of the same sex with great frankness and absence of prejudice. Daniel Craig’s performance in “Queer” includes some very explicit erotic sequences, showcasing his courage in an era where such behaviors are still rejected by a significant part of the audience. The festival director even went so far as to call it the greatest role of Craig’s career, alongside Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in “Joker 2.”
Memorable performances: A showcase of talent
This year’s Venice Film Festival is set to feature some truly memorable performances. Daniel Craig in “Queer” and Joaquin Phoenix in “Joker 2” deliver performances of a lifetime, and it would be surprising if they didn’t end up competing for the highest recognition both at Venice and the Oscars.
Explore the trailers
For those eager to get a sneak peek at the films and series mentioned, here are the direct links to their trailers and information sheets:
A festival to remember
The Venice Film Festival continues to be a beacon of cinematic excellence, showcasing a diverse array of films that push boundaries and challenge conventions. This year’s lineup promises to be a memorable one, with a mix of established auteurs and emerging talents, bold explorations of sexuality, and unforgettable performances. For cinema and TV series enthusiasts, the festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the best of contemporary cinema in all its forms.
