VENICE: The 81st Venice Film Festival officially began on Wednesday, opening with a high-profile screening of Tim Burton’s eagerly anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. The event, held in the iconic city of Venice, marks the start of a prestigious film celebration that runs through September 7.
Tim Burton, renowned for his unique blend of fantasy and horror, returns with the sequel to his 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice. The film, which is screening out of competition, brings back beloved characters and features a stellar cast including Michael Keaton, who reprises his role as the charismatic exorcist, along with Winona Ryder, Willem Dafoe, and Jenna Ortega. Burton is accompanied by his partner, actress Monica Bellucci, adding to the festival’s glamorous opening.
This year’s festival is packed with Hollywood star power, and its roster of events and films promises to captivate audiences. Sigourney Weaver will be honored with a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, celebrating her remarkable contributions to cinema.
The festival also features several high-profile attendees and events beyond the film screenings. Richard Gere, although not presenting a film, will be present at various events, including the amfAR charity gala at Nicelli Airport on September 1. Oprah Winfrey will grace the Arsenale on August 29 as Diane Von Furstenberg’s guest.
Italian cinema is prominently featured this year, with films such as Gianni Amelio’s Battlefield, Maura Delpero’s Vermiglio, and Iddu by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, starring Toni Servillo and Elio Germano. Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, starring Daniel Craig, and Giulia Steigerwalt’s Diva Futura will also be showcased.
The festival promises star-studded appearances and screenings of anticipated films. Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix will appear on September 4, while George Clooney and Brad Pitt will present their film Wolfs on September 1. Angelina Jolie stars in Maria, directed by Pablo Larrain, on August 29, portraying the final days of Maria Callas’s exile in Paris.
Other notable stars attending include Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton for Pedro Almodovar’s latest work on September 2, Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline for Alfonso Cuarón’s TV series Disclaimer (August 29-30), and Nicole Kidman for Halina Reijn’s Babygirl (August 30). Antonio Banderas and Daniel Craig will also be featured in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer on September 3.
French actress Camille Cottin will present Trois Amies on August 30, and August 31 will highlight The Order, a film in competition starring Jude Law and Tye Sheridan. Adrien Brody will attend the festival on September 1 for The Brutalist by Brady Corbet, and Vincent Lindon will be present for The Quiet Son on September 4.
The festival will conclude with the award ceremony, where the jury, chaired by Isabelle Huppert, will present the coveted prizes. The final films to be showcased include Orto Americano by Pupi Avati, out of competition, and Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 and 2, featuring Kevin Costner and Sienna Miller.
