The 83rd Venice International Film Festival is set to open on September 2 on the Venice Lido, launching the autumn awards season with world premieres, politically charged documentaries and major stars. The Associated Press reported on August 30 that Robert Pattinson, Rooney Mara, Penélope Cruz, George Clooney and Noel and Liam Gallagher are among the expected guests, while La Biennale confirmed that the event will run through September 12.
The official selection combines established filmmakers with work focused on contemporary power and conflict. AP highlighted Alex Gibney's nearly four-hour documentary about Elon Musk, Julia Loktev's almost six-hour portrait of independent Russian journalists living in exile, and NAZA, a Gaza documentary added late to the main competition. Musk has criticized Gibney's project, while the director told AP that Musk declined to participate.
The fiction slate includes Martin McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine, starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell as CIA agents in the 1970s, and Florian Zeller's psychological thriller Bunker with Cruz and Javier Bardem. Danny Boyle's Ink examines a turning point in tabloid media, while Primetime features Pattinson as television host Chris Hansen and explores early-2000s reality television culture.
Asian cinema also has a prominent place. Hirokazu Kore-eda will premiere Look Back, about two small-town girls who want to become manga artists, and Lee Chang-dong will present Possible Love, centered on labor and freedom through two married couples. The festival's official site says the principal competition can include up to 21 feature films presented as world premieres, with prizes including the Golden Lion and acting, directing and screenplay awards.
The lineup has also prompted scrutiny over representation. AP reported that Danish-Egyptian filmmaker May el-Toukhy is the only woman directing a film in the main competition, despite a festival pledge adopted in 2018 to improve gender balance. Maggie Gyllenhaal chairs the seven-member international jury, which also includes Kaouther Ben Hania, Daniel Blumberg, Francesco Casetti, Xavier Giannoli, Shahrbanoo Sadat and Johnnie To.
Clooney and Ellen Burstyn will receive Golden Lions for lifetime achievement, according to La Biennale, and both are scheduled for festival masterclasses. The opening ceremony and Clooney's award presentation will be streamed on September 2. With the final awards due at the closing ceremony on September 12, the premieres will now be watched closely for critical reception, distribution prospects and their possible effect on the coming Oscar race.
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