21 films are competing for the Golden Lion in Venice this year – including works with Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Angelina Jolie. The opening film is the sequel to a cult horror comedy.
The 81st Venice Film Festival starts today with the sequel to the cult horror comedy “Beetlejuice”. Hollywood stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara are expected on the red carpet. For “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” they have teamed up again with filmmaker Tim Burton, who directed the first part in 1988.
Also starring is American Jenna Ortega, who is best known for her role in the series “Wednesday.” Keaton plays the messy-haired poltergeist again in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” To the horror of Lydia Deetz (Ryder), he returns to her life.
The film festival runs until September 7th. 21 films are competing this year for the main prize, the Golden Lion. Among them is the new “Joker” film by Todd Phillips with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is the sequel to the successful thriller from 2019. It also premiered in Venice and won the main prize.
Angelina Jolie can also be seen in Pablo Larraín’s film “Maria”. Also in competition is “Queer”, the new film by Luca Guadagnino with Daniel Craig in the lead role. Nicole Kidman is represented with “Babygirl”. In Halina Reijn’s film, she plays a businesswoman who begins an affair with a young intern. Harris Dickinson (“Triangle of Sadness”) plays the intern, Antonio Banderas the cheated husband.
The decision on the Golden Lion will be made by a nine-member jury headed by French actress Isabelle Huppert. The jury also includes German director Julia von Heinz (“And Tomorrow the Whole World”).
The second part of Kevin Costner’s western saga “Horizon” is running out of competition. Brad Pitt and George Clooney are appearing in Jon Watts’ action comedy “Wolfs”.
17 German co-productions
Germany is represented with 17 co-productions in the various sections of the festival. The documentary “Riefenstahl” by Andres Veiel is running out of competition. The film’s producer is Sandra Maischberger. She and Veiel spent several years researching Riefenstahl’s estate for the film. The filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003) is known for Nazi propaganda films such as “Triumph of the Will”.
Another film about German history will also be premiered: “September 5” by Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum tells the story of the hostage-taking of Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich – from the perspective of a television team. Leonie Benesch (“The Teachers’ Room”) plays a leading role.
Source: Stern
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