As in any self-respecting sport, even VIP surveillance (i.e. the art of intercepting celebrities) has its own rules, but above all strategic places where success is guaranteed. Whether the goal is to look at them even from afar, or ask for an autograph, or take a selfie, alla Venice Film Festival (August 30 – September 9, 2023) It’s always best to come prepared. For starters: during the eleven days of the event, it’s good to take your eyes off your smartphone and look around. Michele Bravi or Pierfrancesco Favino might have walked past you, perhaps drinking coffee next to you.
Never empty handed
The best way to approach the stars is to show them that they are not dealing with someone who will then sell their captioned photo for a high price, but with a fan who appreciates their work. How to do? I show them the cover of a home video or movie theater poster. This is non-verbal communication that demonstrates respect for the profession of the person in front of you.
Limited contacts
Especially after the pandemic – and especially guests arriving in Italy from abroad – they prefer to limit very close communication, so they prefer to ask before taking pictures. Many directors and actors like to chat with the audience, especially about the project they presented. Therefore, preparing two or three sentences in English so as not to be caught off guard is always a good idea.
red carpet etiquette
On the red carpet, usually only the one who screams the loudest (and, perhaps, not the name of the character, but his translator) attracts attention. This does not include pushing or prodding, but at least the guest knows who is waiting for him or her.
Observations
Those who want to take a look at the podium can easily watch the podium live on large screens set up in front of the Palazzo del Casino on the Venetian Lido, or from the balustrade in front of the Excelsior Hotel, just a few steps from the Red Theatre. carpet. Those who prefer to enjoy the magical moment of arriving by boat can easily wait for the VIPs at the pier. The building has an additional exit right in front of the Palazzo del Cinema, which also allows some characters to walk to the premiere or event to which they were invited.
Star Spritz
The hotel’s sea view terrace is also open to non-residents and is a strategic spot for stargazing while sipping a cocktail. In the evening, sometimes the beach or the pool becomes an exciting venue for private events, right up to the final dinner with the winners on Mostra’s last night (which this year is more feminine than ever).
Behind the scenes
Find out who the guests of the day are you need to know the program well (also downloadable from the Biennale website, which features biopics such as Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla and Bradley Cooper’s Maestro), which explains how to buy tickets for the various halls. Fans who are not interested in watching the movie, but only to greet the main characters, can wait for them in the shade of the trees located between the Palazzo del Cinema and the Casino. They go there after they met, but not before they cross the cordoned off corridor. Some do not use a private boat (called a speedboat) but use cars to get around the Lido and perhaps relax in the various lounges around, such as the tennis club, which houses the Hollywood celebrity lounge. Or the Hotel Des Bains, which is reopening just in time for the 80th festival and which has been hosting Dopocinema on its beach since last year (the new schedule can be found here), signed Cosmopolitan.
Farewell, Lido!
There are several satellite places in Venice where the actors stop or rest. Absolutely new for 2023 will be the exhibition hall hosted by Georgia Viola at the Nolinski Hotel, located a few canals from Piazza San Marco, a venue that has just opened and is already hosting exceptional events.
The most exclusive lounge of the stars is located in the Sina Centurion Palace, which almost always hosts parties dedicated to the Italian films presented at the festival, so being around during dinner means crossing the streets of Venice with a real crowd of famous characters. (although in Hollywood actors are on strike and many miss the meeting).
Show must go on
On the 29th, the Danieli Hotel will open the dances that are dedicated every year to diversity cocktail by invitation in honor of the chairman of the jury. This year it’s called Beautiful night. Stars over Venicefood and wine in honor of Damien Chazelle, who La La Land wanted to pay tribute to the seventh art.
Instead, La Misericordia (Sestriere Cannaregio) is hosting an amfAR benefit gala with a concert by Rita Ora and Leona Lewis presented by Mastercard and, as always, Leonardo DiCaprio is expected to arrive on a yacht.