The Venice Film Festival is getting closer and, as this year, in an edition that is accompanied by a round number (80) and therefore had to be special. uncertainty reigns. In fact, for the event, which runs from August 30 to September 9, many confirmations from celebrity guests are still missing; in particular, there are concerns for actors who must come from abroad. The most important festival of Italian cinema is really approaching at a specific historical moment, in which the strike called by the Sag-Aftra unions in Hollywood continues apace. This forces most stars not only to leave the set, but also not to attend film events and international promotional tours.
Who definitely won’t be
The Festival has suffered a heavy blow in recent weeks. “The Contenders”, the new film by Luca Guadagnino was to open the exhibition, and it would bring one of the most respected and beloved stars of the time to the red carpet: Zendaya. However, the actress has already announced that she will not come to Italy and, probably also for this reason, that it was supposed to be a discovery film. it was postponed to 2024 and replaced it. Thus, the eightieth festival will begin with Commander From Edoardo de Angelis, a film inspired by a true story, starring Pierfrancesco Favino, which will be present in Venice.
He won’t even be on the beach Emma Stonemain character Poor things Yorgos Lanthimos, a film that tells the story of a modern-day Frankenstein woman. The actress was one of the first to declare her full support for the Sag-Aftra strike and, therefore, her absence from Venice. No one Bradley Cooper will be seen in Italy. This is an even more important and meaningful choice. Cooper is essentially the director as well as the lead actor of the feature film. Owner dedicated to the figure of Leonard Bernstein. Even he he decided to stay in the States to show solidarity towards fellow actors and writers in this union battle.
Stars who will come to Venice thanks to the benefit
Good news, actors who have worked on films, in competition or out of competition, considered independent and therefore not associated with large companies Americans are free to participate in festival events. This clause allows these stars to arrive at the Lido without technically breaking the strike.
Among these personalities confirmed on the red carpet are for this reason: Adam Driveramong translators Ferrari, Jessica ChastainWith Memorydirected by Michael Franco, the film, the plot of which is still unknown, the main characters are a married couple Priscilla Sofia Coppola (Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi), as well as Mads Mikkelsen and Caleb Landry Jones (by Promised land AND Great Dane Man). Still uncertain but probableas well as the presence of Penelope Cruz, Lily James, Willem Dafoe, Léa Seydoux and Liam Neeson.
All international directors and Italian actors are confirmed
All the international directors of the films presented in Venice will be there, with the exception of Cooper.
This means that we will see personalities of this caliber on the beach. Woody Allen (his Random coup out of competition), Luc Besson (competing with Great Dane Man), Wes Anderson (out of competition with The Remarkable Story of Henry Sugar), Pablo Lorrain (El Conde), Sofia Coppola (Priscilla) and many others. He also joins them Damien Chazellechairman of the jury.
There is also a boom in attendance among Italian actors and directors. In addition to Piefrancesco Favino, the protagonist of the film that opens the exhibition, and Caterina Murino, godmother of the 80th festival, will also take part many other famous names of Italian cinema. From Alba Rohrwacher To Tony Servillofrom Benedetta Porcaroli to Matteo Branchamora and Pietro Castellitto (directors Aeneas), Valerio Mastandrea Michaela Ramazzotti. Last one in 2023 he makes his Lido debut as a director (and main character) of the film Happinesswhich explores the courage it takes to save yourself from some unhealthy family ties.
READ ALSO:
What do we know about the Italian blockbuster opening the Venice Film Festival
All up Aeneasa film in which Pietro Castellitto directs his father Sergio.