The 81st Venice Film Festival is set to commence on August 28, 2024, marking a triumphant return of Hollywood's elite to the iconic Lido. This year's event is poised to be a stark contrast to the subdued 2023 edition, which was impacted by the actors' strike.
Alberto Barbera, the festival's artistic director, anticipates an unprecedented turnout, stating, > "We're going to have the most crowded red carpet ever, I think."
This resurgence underscores Venice's significance in the film industry calendar. Over the past three years, films premiering at the festival have garnered an impressive 77 Oscar nominations, resulting in 14 wins. This track record has cemented Venice's reputation as a crucial launchpad for awards season contenders.
The star-studded lineup includes Brad Pitt, Lady Gaga, George Clooney, Joaquin Phoenix, Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman, and Jenna Ortega, among others. Some celebrities have even self-funded their attendance, highlighting the festival's prestige and allure.
The Venice Film Festival, founded in 1932, holds the distinction of being the world's oldest film festival. It forms part of the prestigious "Big Three" alongside Cannes and Berlin, and is a cornerstone of the Venice Biennale, a major contemporary art exhibition.
Among the 21 films vying for the coveted Golden Lion are Todd Phillips' "Joker: Folie à Deux," Pablo Larrain's "Maria," and Luca Guadagnino's "Queer." These selections reflect a diverse range of cinematic offerings, from blockbusters to auteur works.
Notably, this year's festival marks a return of more explicit sexual content in cinema. Daniel Craig's role in "Queer" is described as having "quite full on" sex scenes, signaling a shift from what Barbera calls a decade-long "auto censorship" in the industry.
The festival opens with Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," a sequel to his 1988 comedy, featuring both original cast members and new talents. This blend of established and emerging artists is a hallmark of Venice's programming philosophy.
Venice's commitment to innovation is evident in its history of firsts, including the introduction of a Virtual Reality competition in 2017 and the establishment of the Venice Film Market in 2012 to support the film industry.
As the 11-day event unfolds, all eyes will be on the Palazzo del Cinema, the festival's main venue, where the next generation of award-winning films may well be unveiled. With its rich history and forward-looking approach, the 2024 Venice Film Festival promises to be a celebration of cinema's past, present, and future.