- Nineteenth-century celebrities gracing the Venice Film Festival
Some celebrities have fantastic camaraderie when they meet, while others prefer to keep their distance. At this year's Venice Film Festival, Brad Pitt found himself in both categories. With "Wolfs," the 60-year-old presented his new film alongside his long-time friend George Clooney. On the other hand, the event took every precaution to prevent him from crossing paths with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie.
Pitt, Clooney, Jolie, and other famous Hollywood stars like Nicole Kidman, Winona Ryder, Jude Law, and Adrien Brody are gracing the festival with their presence. The festival has a vintage feel, reminiscent of the 1990s and early 2000s, and several stars are already being considered for Oscar nominations.
Could Brody bag an Oscar?
Adrien Brody's historical drama "The Brutalist" premiered at the festival. Brody's exceptional performance as a talented Jewish architect from Hungary, who survives the Holocaust and seeks a new life in the United States, has been lauded by critics. This 3.5-hour epic from Brady Corbet showcases Brody's maturity and versatility as an actor. An award at the festival is a strong possibility.
"Embarrassment!" - Kidman's daring role in an erotic drama
However, it was Nicole Kidman's performance in the erotic drama "Babygirl" that caused a stir. Kidman delivered a fearless performance as a woman exploring her long-suppressed sexual desires. The film explores lust and the consequences of hidden desires within a family and relationship, from a contemporary, feminist perspective.
The audience watched as Kidman's character drank milk from a saucer, had Botox and hyaluronic acid injections, and engaged in multiple sexual encounters. The film sparked mixed reactions, with some viewers captivated and others, like one who shouted "Embarrassment!" after a screening, less enthused. An award, possibly the Golden Lion under jury chair Isabelle Huppert, is within reach. Huppert previously portrayed a character with similar sadomasochistic tendencies in "The Piano Teacher."
And Angelina cries
Angelina Jolie is likely to receive an Oscar nomination for her role in "Maria," a competition film where she portrays opera singer Maria Callas during her final days. Jolie's portrayal of a depressed, drug-dependent superstar who struggles to let her guard down at home was powerful and emotional.
Jolie spent months training her singing for this role, and Callas' vocals were later mixed with hers in the film. After the premiere, the audience gave Jolie a warm reception, causing the actress to cry uncontrollably.
The competition films showcased a diverse range of themes, including "The Order" featuring Jude Law as an FBI agent battling a neo-Nazi gang in the United States, and "Wolfs," where Pitt and Clooney star as reluctant crime scene cleaners who must work together to dispose of a seemingly dead young man who miraculously revives.
Pitt's subtle humor
Pitt and Clooney exhibit their comedic chemistry in "Wolfs," a light-hearted action comedy directed by Jon Watts. The film features Pitt and Clooney as two unwilling crime scene cleaners who must work together to dispose of a young man who mysteriously awakens. The film's humor, reminiscent of their previous collaborations like "Ocean's Eleven," made the audience laugh with Pitt's subtle nuances, such as a raised eyebrow.
The young man's confusion - "What's this, the 90s again?" - resonated with the festival's vintage feel.
Stars and fans
This year's festival boasts a high turnout of celebrities, with some fans even camping out on the red carpet, hoping to take selfies with their idols. The stars gladly entertained their fans, relishing the attention after a recent Hollywood strike. The unusual heatwave also gave them an excuse to wear colorful umbrellas and fans, keeping fans engaged and their tendonitis at bay.
Brad Pitt and George Clooney's film "Wolfs" received critical acclaim at the festival, and their comedic chemistry was a highlight for many viewers. In a different category, Nicole Kidman's brave performance in the erotic drama "Babygirl" was met with mixed reactions, but her performance is being recognized as award-worthy.
