Stars will gather at the Lido as Pablo Larraín’s biopic about Maria Callas competes with sequels of the Joker and Beetlejuice for the Golden Lion this year.
Tue 23 Jul 2024 14.59 CEST
The Venice film festival will showcase one of the most star-studded lineups ever, with celebrities such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, and Lady Gaga expected to attend.
The 81st edition of the festival will take place from 28 August to 7 September, promising a return to glitter and glory after last year’s subdued atmosphere due to the Hollywood strikes.
Competing for the prestigious Golden Lion are films like Joker: Folie à Deux, Todd Phillips’ sequel to his Joker movie that won the Golden Lion in 2019. Joaquin Phoenix returns as Joker in this musical sequel, with Lady Gaga as his love interest and partner in crime, Harley Quinn. The cast also includes Brendan Gleeson, Zazie Beetz, and Catherine Keener.
Other films in competition include Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, and Justin Kurzel’s The Order. These movies feature A-list stars like Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman, Adrien Brody, and Jude Law.
Drew Starkey has Daniel Craig in his sights in Queer by Luca Guadagnino. Photograph: Yannis Drakoulidis
Chilean director Pablo Larraín’s biopic Maria, starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, will also compete for the Golden Lion. The film, written by Steven Knight, features Kodi Smit-McPhee and Pierfrancesco Favino.
Other notable films vying for the Golden Lion include The Room Next Door by Pedro Almodóvar, Babygirl by Halina Reijn, and the much-awaited Beetlejuice Beetlejuice by Tim Burton.
Venice regulars Brad Pitt and George Clooney will present Wolfs, along with other films like Broken Rage by Takeshi Kitano and L’orto Americana by Pupi Avati.
Documentaries screening out of competition include One to One: John & Yoko, Pavements, 2073, and Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989. Television series premiering at Venice include Disclaimer, Son of the Century, Families Like Ours, and Los Años Nuevos.
The festival’s director, Alberto Barbera, mentioned that the inclusion of TV shows is part of a broader reflection on the evolving landscape of cinematic works.
The Horizons Extra category presents September 5, a drama about the 1972 Munich summer Olympics starring Peter Sarsgaard and Ben Chaplin.
The jury for this year’s competition is chaired by Isabelle Huppert and includes directors James Gray and Andrew Haigh.
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The highly anticipated Venice Film Festival for 2024 is set to be a star-studded event, with some of the biggest names in Hollywood descending on the Lido to showcase their latest films. With a lineup that includes the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, and Lady Gaga, this year’s festival promises to be one of the most glamorous and exciting yet.
Taking place from August 28 to September 7, the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival is back with a bang after last year’s subdued event due to Hollywood strikes. Among the films competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award is Todd Phillips’ sequel to his 2019 Golden Lion-winning film “Joker.” Titled “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the musical sequel sees Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck, AKA Joker, with Lady Gaga joining the cast as his love interest and partner in crime Harley Quinn.
Other notable films in competition include Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of the William S. Burroughs novel “Queer,” starring Daniel Craig, Lesley Manville, and Jason Schwartzman; Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Joe Alwyn; and Justin Kurzel’s “The Order,” featuring Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, and Tye Sheridan.
Chilean director Pablo Larraín’s biopic “Maria” is another contender for the Golden Lion, with Angelina Jolie taking on the role of famed opera diva Maria Callas. Written by Steven Knight, the film also stars Kodi Smit-McPhee and Pierfrancesco Favino.
In addition to the competition lineup, the festival will also feature out-of-competition screenings of highly anticipated films such as Tim Burton’s sequel to “Beetlejuice,” starring Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder; Jon Watts’ action drama “Wolfs,” starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney; and Takeshi Kitano’s “Broken Rage.”
The festival will also showcase a selection of documentaries, including Kevin Macdonald and Sam Rice-Edwards’ music doc “One to One: John & Yoko,” Alex Ross Perry’s “Pavements,” and Asif Kapadia’s “2073.” Television series premiering at Venice include Alfonso Cuarón’s “Disclaimer,” Joe Wright’s “M. Son of the Century,” and the Danish dystopian series “Families Like Ours.”
The Venice Film Festival’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, has curated a diverse and exciting lineup for this year’s event, showcasing the best of international cinema. With a jury chaired by French actor Isabelle Huppert and including directors James Gray and Andrew Haigh, the competition promises to be fierce as films vie for the prestigious Golden Lion award.
Overall, the Venice Film Festival 2024 is shaping up to be a must-attend event for film lovers and industry professionals alike. With a star-studded lineup, exciting premieres, and a diverse range of films and series on offer, this year’s festival is sure to captivate audiences and generate buzz in the world of cinema.
