- Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton attending the Venice Film Festival
The sequel to the cult horror comedy "Beetlejuice", titled "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice", commences the 81st Venice Film Festival today. Celebrities Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara, who starred in the original 1988 film, are anticipated on the red carpet. Renewing their collaboration with director Tim Burton, they've brought "Beetlejuice" back to life.
Jenna Ortega, famous from "Wednesday", is also among the cast. Keaton returns as the unruly ghost, causing Lydia Deetz (Ryder) distress with his unexpected re-entry into her life.
The film festival runs until September 7. A total of 21 films are in contention for the coveted Golden Lion, including Todd Phillips' "Joker: Folie à Deux", starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. The film won the top prize during its 2019 Venice premiere.
Angelina Jolie features in Pablo Larraín's "Maria", while "Queer" by Luca Guadagnino, featuring Daniel Craig, and "Babygirl" by Halina Reijn, starring Nicole Kidman, are also competing for the Golden Lion.
A nine-person jury, headed by French actress Isabelle Huppert, has the responsibility of selecting the Golden Lion winner. German director Julia von Heinz ("Und morgen die ganze Welt") is also a part of the jury.
Away from competition, the second installment of Kevin Costner's Western saga "Horizon" and Jon Watts' action comedy "Wolfs", featuring Brad Pitt and George Clooney, will be screened.
Germany is represented with 17 co-productions in various festival sections. The documentary "Riefenstahl" by Andres Veiel, produced by Sandra Maischberger, will also be shown. This film examines the legacy of filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, renowned for her Nazi propaganda films such as "Triumph des Willens".
Another film being debuted at the festival is "September 5" by Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum. The film narrates the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis from a TV crew's perspective with Leonie Benesch ("Das Lehrerzimmer") playing a leading role.
Winona Ryder, known for her role in "Beetlejuice", is expected to make a stunning appearance on the red carpet. During the film, Winona Ryder's character, Lydia Deetz, faces distress when Keaton's character, the unruly ghost, unexpectedly re-enters her life.
