The Venice Film Festival is upon us again, and we can’t believe it. While we are a little sad that it means that summer is winding down, the positive is that it implies that audiences everywhere are about to have a treasure trove of sure-to-be spectacular films to look forward to.
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When the news of the Hollywood strikes hit the wire, many were concerned about how it would impact what would happen the rest of the year and how it would impact every facet of the business, including film festivals. Thankfully, we won’t see the impacts of the strike just yet, and the 2023 Venice Film Festival is full of talent, at least not on the big screen.
While we, unfortunately, won’t see Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” there or “Dune: Part Two,” which presumably was a possibility at one point since the first one premiered there, we are having a two-Wes Anderson film year, and have auteurs like David Fincher, Michael Mann, Ava DuVernay, Sofia Coppola, and many more in attendance with movies to premiere. Additional titles not on our main list proper, but ones to look for include Roman Polanski’s “The Palace” and Jack Huston’s “Day of the Fight,” to name just a few.
Fans may not get the red-carpet content they look forward to every year (it seems dubious if all this talent will actually appear, given strike rules and obligations). However, many talented directors and writers are attending the festival to showcase their recent work, so while we may not see the likes of Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Emma Stone, or Tilda Swinton on the red carpet, we will see them on the silver screen. The 2023 Venice Film Festival runs August 30 – September 9, 2023. Stay tuned for all our coverage of the festival.
“Aggro Dr1ft”“I’ve never made anything like it…maybe it’s not even a movie,” elusive and mischievous filmmaker Harmony Korine says about his new film, “Aggro Dr1ft.” Running only 80 minutes long and starring Spanish actor Jordi Molla and American rapper Travis Scott, it’s shot entirely using thermal lenses (it looks hella surreal and psychedelic) and centers on a seasoned hitman in the seedy domain of Miami’s criminal underbelly, who embarks on the relentless pursuit of his next target.
“Bastarden” (“The Promise Land”) Reuniting Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Arcel for the first time since “A Royal Affair,” “The Promise Land” sees Mikkelsen as Ludvig Kahlen, who is the illegitimate son of a maid and a nobleman and sets out to complete an impossible task for King Frederik V. Alongside Mikkelsen, the film stars Amanda Collin, Simon Bennebjerg, Kristine Kujath Thorp, and Gustav Lindh.
Nikolaj Arcel’s ‘BASTARDEN (THE PROMISE LAND) starring Mads Mikkelsen, Amanda Collin, Simon Bennebjerg and Melinda Hagberg will premiere In Competition at the Venice Film Festival. pic.twitter.com/V9QQGuQ1KS— Films & Tv series (@Aaryannir) July 25, 2023“La Bete” Set in the near future, emotions have become a threat, which leads to Gabrielle deciding to purify her DNA in a machine. This machine will immerse her in her previous lives and rid her of any strong feelings, but when she meets Louis, she begins to feel a strong connection that turns to premonition. Written and directed by Bertrand Bonello and starring Léa Seydoux and George MacKay.
Bertrand Bonello’s La Bête (The Beast) starring Léa Seydoux and George MacKay will premiere at the 80th Venice Film Festival. pic.twitter.com/Ut0SPBx88z— best of léa seydoux (@badpostseydoux) July 24, 2023“Maestro” “Maestro” is a highly anticipated biopic focusing on Leonard Bernstein and his relationship with Felicia Montealegre. Martin Scorsese was initially planning to direct the film, but when he stepped down, Bradley Cooper grabbed the reins. The director of “A Star Is Born,” Cooper is also the co-writer and producer and stars as the legendary composer, spanning many decades of his life into old age. Alongside Cooper, the film stars Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Sarah Silverman, and Miriam Shor.