The 83rd Venice Film Festival begins this Wednesday on the Lido, marking the traditional start of the fall film season. While the event promises the usual influx of Hollywood stars—including George Clooney, Penélope Cruz, Robert Pattinson, Rooney Mara, and the Gallagher brothers—the atmosphere this year is notably distinct, with significant focus shifting toward political and social narratives.
A major point of intrigue is Alex Gibney’s nearly four-hour documentary exploring the life and influence of Elon Musk. Developed over four years, the film examines the billionaire’s role as a symbol of 21st-century power. Gibney, an Oscar winner, noted that while he initially approached the project as a Tesla owner and admirer, his research led him to conclude that Musk is less an inventor and more a confidence man. Musk has previously dismissed the project on social media as a “hit piece,” though Gibney maintains that the film provides a comprehensive, albeit dark, look at the CEO’s influence, drawing parallels to figures like Elizabeth Holmes.
Political tensions are also expected to feature prominently, particularly regarding the conflict in Gaza. The documentary “NAZA,” created by filmmakers behind the Oscar-winning “No Other Land,” has been added to the competition lineup. While there are no large-scale protests planned, the activist group Venice4Palestine has urged the festival to sever ties with institutions linked to the Israeli government and has requested that the Palestinian flag be displayed throughout the event.
The festival’s competition also highlights a recurring industry critique regarding gender representation. Only one woman, Danish-Egyptian director May El-Toukhy, is represented in the main competition. This follows a 2018 pledge by the festival to ensure gender parity in competition entries by 2020, a goal that remains unmet. The irony is underscored by the current jury, presided over by Maggie Gyllenhaal, who won the best screenplay prize in 2021, and includes Kaouther Ben Hania, whose work was recognized with a Silver Lion last year.
Other notable entries include Julia Loktev’s “My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile,” a six-hour documentary following independent Russian journalists who fled their country following the invasion of Ukraine. Loktev describes the film as a portrait of young reporters forced to choose between imprisonment or indefinite exile to continue their work.
The festival remains a key indicator for the upcoming Oscar race. Promising contenders include Martin McDonagh’s “Wild Horse Nine,” featuring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell; Florian Zeller’s psychological thriller “Bunker,” starring Cruz and Javier Bardem; and Danny Boyle’s “Ink,” which explores a pivotal moment in tabloid media history. Additionally, Lance Oppenheim’s “Primetime” has generated curiosity for its examination of early 2000s reality television culture and Pattinson’s performance.
International perspectives are also well-represented, with Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda presenting “Look Back,” a story about aspiring manga artists, and Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong debuting “Possible Love,” which explores themes of labor and freedom.
Opening the Venice Days section is Hungarian filmmaker Lili Horvát’s English-language debut, “My Notes on Mars.” The film stars Rupert Friend and Mackenzie Davis as a couple navigating a failing marriage after the wife, a scientist, mysteriously disappears and returns. Horvát described the project as a story that argues for the value of great love while acknowledging the inherent limits of truly knowing one’s partner.
The festival also features short films in the Venice Open section, including Laura Poitras’s collaboration with Rachel Lauren Mueller on a project regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, and Gyllenhaal’s short film “Flesh Impact.”
Despite the star-studded lineup, the industry landscape feels more muted than in previous years. Major studios have found success without relying on festival premieres, and the reigning best picture winner, “One Battle After Another,” bypassed the festival circuit entirely. While Venice continues to host more Hollywood projects than Cannes, the industry appears to be recalibrating its reliance on these traditional launchpads.
George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn are set to receive lifetime achievement awards during the event. As the festival unfolds, the focus will remain on whether these films can translate their Lido debuts into long-term critical and commercial success. The report also notes that but the Venice Film Festival is on the horizon to kick off the busy fall film festival season in style, august can be a dreary month for Hollywood glamour. The report also notes that some of the films may even become Oscar nominees. The report also notes that there will always be a spotlight for the Hollywood contingent and the awards hopefuls posing on boats and docks in designer duds. The report also notes that but a good friend convinced him it would be a worthy portrait of 21st-century power – and this was before the 2024 presidential campaign and DOGE, the Oscar-winner wasn’t sure about taking it on at first. The report also notes that gibney replied, “How would you know. The report also notes that in fact, Gibney told The Associated Press he started off as a kind of admirer – as well as a Tesla owner – and sincerely wanted to talk to Musk for the film. The report also notes that ultimately, he didn’t want to talk to me,” Gibney said.
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