Venice Film Festival: Huppert Voices Concern Over Cinema's Future

The 92-year-old Venice Film Festival, the world's oldest cinematic showcase, commenced on August 28, 2024, with Isabelle Huppert at the helm of the main jury. The renowned French actress, who has graced over 120 films, expressed concern about the current state of cinema, emphasizing the importance of its survival in challenging times.

Huppert, a two-time Venice best actress award winner (1988 and 1995), addressed the pressing issues facing the film industry during the festival's opening news conference. She highlighted the weakened state of cinema in recent years, urging for continued support and recognition of filmmakers' efforts.

"What concerns us all is that cinema continues to live on as much as possible. We know that it has been weakened in recent times."

The Venice Film Festival, taking place on the picturesque 11-kilometer-long Lido sandbar, serves as a crucial platform for global filmmakers to showcase their work. This year's event, running until September 7, 2024, aims to promote films that might otherwise struggle to gain international recognition.

The film industry continues to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Gower Street Analytics, global box office takings reached approximately $34 billion in 2023, marking a 30.5% increase from 2022. However, this figure still falls 15% short of the average annual returns from 2017-2019. More alarmingly, sales in the United States, the world's largest film market, have shown a decline in 2024.

Debra Granik, the U.S. director heading the festival's experimental Horizons section jury, echoed Huppert's sentiments. She thanked the French actress for addressing the "elephant in the room" and emphasized the collective desire to see the art form thrive.

The festival opened with the world premiere of Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," shown out of competition. Burton, known for his distinctive gothic and quirky style, revisits one of his early successes with this sequel to the 1988 hit "Beetlejuice."

As the Venice Film Festival continues its role in the broader Venice Biennale cultural organization, it remains a beacon of hope for the global film industry. The event not only showcases new trends in world cinema through its Horizons section but also serves as a launching pad for international and independent films.

Huppert, who also runs two art house cinemas in Paris, embodies the multifaceted nature of cinema support. Her involvement in both the creative and business aspects of the industry underscores the importance of preserving cinema's cultural significance and economic viability.

As the festival progresses, all eyes will be on Huppert and her jury as they prepare to award the prestigious Golden Lion on September 7, 2024, celebrating excellence in filmmaking and reaffirming cinema's enduring importance in our cultural landscape.