The Festival opens with "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice": Tim Burton's Grand Return.
The 81st Venice Film Festival, directed by Alberto Barbera and organized by the Biennale, under the presidency of Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, kicked off with glamour, excitement, and a strong line-up of films and events that reaffirmed its status as one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.
From star-studded red carpets to thought-provoking premieres, the first five days set the tone for an unforgettable edition.
Director Alberto Barbera - Credits: La Biennale di Venezia - Foto ASAC
President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco - Credits: La Biennale di Venezia - Foto ASAC
The festival opened with the world premiere of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" by Tim Burton, a much-anticipated sequel that brought a nostalgic yet fresh energy to the Lido.
This grand return to the big screen for Tim Burton marks an important moment for the Californian director, who is back in the spotlight after the disappointment of "Dumbo" and the overwhelming success of the series "Wednesday."
Thirty-six years after the cult film of 1988, which was Burton's first major popular success, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" emerges as the perfect film to open the prestigious Venice festival. The sequel revisits the gothic atmospheres and dark humor that made the original iconic, promising to delight both longtime fans and new generations.
The film's red carpet featured a parade of stars who helped make this opening night special. Michael Keaton returns as the quirky bio-exorcist Beetlejuice, alongside the original co-star Winona Ryder. They are joined by Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and new cast members Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE - Actor Michael Keaton - Credits: Warner Bros Pictures.
Choosing "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" as the opening film is not only a tribute to Tim Burton's visionary genius but also a strong statement by the festival, celebrating the union of auteur cinema and great spectacle.
The opening ceremony saw the presentation of lifetime achievement awards to Peter Weir and Sigourney Weaver, two iconic figures in cinema, who received warm tributes for their lasting contributions to the film industry.
Their appearances on stage added a touch of grandeur to the evening, with moving speeches and reflections on their careers.
SIGOURNEY WEAVER - Credits: Andrew H. Walker - Variety REX Shutterstock
PETER WEIR - Credits: La Biennale di Venezia - Foto ASAC
The 81st Venice Film Festival will continue to generate buzz with three of the most anticipated films of the season: "Babygirl" by Halina Reijn, "Queer" by Luca Guadagnino and "Joker: Folie à Deux" by Todd Phillips promise to capture the attention of both audiences and critics, thanks to stellar casts and intriguing plots.
"Babygirl" directed by Halina Reijn with Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas, a thriller movie about a high-powered CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.
NICOLE KIDMAN & HARRIS DICKINSON Credits: Niko Tavernise - Courtesy of A24
"Queer," directed by Luca Guadagnino, is based on the novel of the same name by William S. Burroughs and stars former James Bond actor Daniel Craig. The film delves into complex themes of identity and sexuality, with Guadagnino's direction expected to be bold and visually captivating, perfectly bringing to life the intense atmosphere of Burroughs' novel.
DREW STARKEY & DANIEL CRAIG - Credits Yannis Drakoulidis
"Joker: Folie à Deux," on the other hand, marks director Todd Phillips' return to the world of the iconic DC Comics villain. The film, a psychological musical, sees the return of Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, alongside Lady Gaga, who portrays Harley Quinn. This superstar pairing has already sparked curiosity among fans and industry insiders, making "Joker: Folie à Deux" one of the most talked-about titles of the festival.
JOAQUIN PHOENIX & LADY GAGA - Credits: Warner Bros Pictures
All these films are surrounded by high expectations and are set to be among the standout highlights of this year's Venice Film Festival.
The closing film of the festival will be "L'orto americano," directed by Pupi Avati, a film that promises to be a fitting conclusion to this year's selection.
FILIPPO SCOTTI & RITA TUSHINGHAM - Credits: Elen Rizzoni
The international jury will be chaired by the French actress Isabelle Huppert, and is composed by:
James Gray, director and screenwriter (USA)
Andrew Haigh, director and screenwriter (United Kingdom)
Agnieszka Holland, director, screenwriter, and producer (Poland)
Kleber Mendonça Filho, director and screenwriter (Brazil)
Abderrahmane Sissako, director, screenwriter, and producer (Mauritania)
Giuseppe Tornatore, director and screenwriter (Italy)
Julia von Heinz, director and screenwriter (Germany)
Zhang Ziyi, actress (China)
ISABELLE HUPPERT - Venezia 81 Jury -Credits: Andrea Avezzu La Biennale di Venezia - Foto ASAC
For the other competitions, the juries are composed as follows:
"Orizzonti" competition:
Debra Granik, director and screenwriter (USA) - Jury President
Ali Asgari, screenwriter and director (Iran)
Soudade Kaadan, director and screenwriter (Syria)
Chrīstos Nikou, director and screenwriter (Greece)
Tuva Novotny, actress and director (Sweden)
Gábor Reisz, director (Hungary)
Valia Santella, screenwriter and director (Italy)
DEBRA GRANIK - Orizzonti Jury
"Venezia Opera Prima - Luigi De Laurentiis" competition:
Gianni Canova, film critic (Italy)
Ricky D’Ambrose, screenwriter and director (USA)
Barbara Paz, director and actress (Brazil)
Taylor Russell, actress and director (Canada)
Jacob Wong, film festival curator (China)
GIANNI CANOVA - Opera Prima Jury - Credits: Margutti Photomovie
"Venezia Classici" competition:
Renato De Maria, director and screenwriter (Italy)
RENATO DE MARIA - Venezia Classici Jury
The host of the 81st Venice Film Festival is Sveva Alviti, the Italian actress and former model who works in both Italian and French-language films.
SVEVA ALVITI - Credits: Fred Meylan
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