Venice Film Festival Launches with Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘La Grazia’

The Venice Film Festival has officially commenced with the world premiere of Paolo Sorrentino’s much-anticipated film, La Grazia, on September 6, 2023. This year marks the festival’s 82nd edition, showcasing an array of films from renowned directors and Hollywood stars alike.

The festival, held on the picturesque Lido island, features a lineup that includes luminaries such as George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Dwayne Johnson, who will be presenting their latest works over the next ten days. Sorrentino, a prominent figure in Italian cinema, has captivated audiences previously with films like the Oscar-winning The Great Beauty.

Expectations and Surprises

The opening night film, La Grazia, stars Toni Servillo, a frequent collaborator of Sorrentino. While the plot details remain largely undisclosed, Alberto Barbera, the festival director, expressed excitement about the film’s departure from Sorrentino’s typical style. He noted, “It’s a different Sorrentino from what we are used to. Far less baroque and formalistic than the previous films he made. It’s a very unexpected story.”

Sorrentino’s previous work at the festival includes his debut in 1999 with One Man Up and winning the Silver Lion in 2021 for The Hand of God, which later received an Academy Award nomination. Many films that debut at the Venice Film Festival often find success in the Oscars, making it a significant platform for filmmakers.

Protests and Competition

Before the glamorous festivities, anti-war protesters are set to hold a news conference in front of the iconic red carpet. Their aim is to draw attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, highlighting the intersection of art and activism.

La Grazia is among 21 films competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award. Other notable contenders include Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia, Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, and Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab.

The festival will run until September 6, promising an exciting array of films and discussions that reflect both artistic innovation and pressing global issues.