ROME: The Venice Film Festival is set to dazzle with a star-studded line-up as it prepares for its 81st edition, featuring Hollywood icons and international cinema gems from August 28 to September 7, organizers said on Tuesday.
A collection of stars, including Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, Nicole Kidman, George Clooney, and Brad Pitt, will grace the red carpet on the picturesque Lido island in Venice’s lagoon for the world’s oldest film festival.
Twenty-one films will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion, with highly anticipated entries such as “Joker: Folie a deux” directed by Todd Phillips, featuring Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role alongside Lady Gaga. The film promises to captivate audiences with its continuation of the Joker saga.
Another standout is “Maria” by Chilean director Pablo Larrain, starring Angelina Jolie as Greek soprano Maria Callas in her final days, offering a poignant exploration of the iconic singer’s life.
Pedro Almodovar makes a significant debut with “The Room Next Door,” marking his first English-language film starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, promising a compelling narrative from the Spanish director.
Nicole Kidman takes on the lead role in “Babygirl,” a provocative thriller directed by Halina Reijn, where she delves into a complex relationship, while Jude Law explores the depths of extremism in “The Order” directed by Justin Kurzel.
In a lighter vein, George Clooney and Brad Pitt team up in “Wolfs,” an action comedy where they play solitary problem solvers reluctantly joining forces.
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Italian cinema shines with five entries, including “Queer” by Luca Guadagnino, featuring Daniel Craig in what is touted as a career-defining performance, and “Sicilian Letters” by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, based on the gripping true story of mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro.
The festival’s return includes Brazilian director Walter Salles after a twelve-year hiatus with “I’m Still Here,” a narrative inspired by a woman’s search for her husband during a dictatorship.
French actress Isabelle Huppert will preside over the jury, tasked with evaluating the diverse and compelling entries vying for the coveted awards at Venice’s prestigious festival.
Kicking off the festivities will be the out-of-competition film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the highly anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s beloved 1988 classic, starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Willem Dafoe, and Monica Bellucci.
