Venice Film Festival Kicks Off with an Homage to Sigourney Weaver.

- Venice Film Festival Kicks Off with an Homage to Sigourney Weaver.

It's actress Sigourney Weaver from the USA who received an honorary 'lion' at the debut of the Venice Film Festival. She jokingly mentioned, being 74, "My lion will take the seat next to me on the plane," alluding to the Italian name of the award, "Leone d'Oro." She further added, "It'll join me in the gondola, and I guess my husband will have to adapt to it sharing our bed."

Actress Camille Cottin gave a heartfelt speech in honor of Weaver. Following this, director James Cameron, via a video message, expressed, "In my opinion, the Oscar should've been hers decades ago."

Last year, the festival was predominantly attended by Italian and European actors due to the Hollywood strike. But this year, various international stars graced the red carpet. Actress Cate Blanchett and musician Patti Smith were photographed together.

Director Tim Burton made his appearance with his partner, actress Monica Bellucci, holding hands. Their film "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" was scheduled to be the first screened post the opening ceremony. Besides Bellucci, the film features Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Willem Dafoe, and Jenna Ortega in key roles.

Camille Cottin's speech was in honor of the honorary lion awarded to Sigourney Weaver. James Cameron expressed his belief that Weaver deserved an Oscar decades ago.

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