Film Festival: “A team of giants” – Venice Film Festival opens

Cheers for Sigourney Weaver and a red carpet in “Beetlejuice” fever: The Venice Film Festival celebrates legends of Hollywood cinema at the opening. US actress Weaver received the Golden Lion for her lifetime achievement. Afterwards, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, the sequel to the cult horror comedy by Tim Burton, will be shown.

“Oscar long overdue”

Weaver became known worldwide with the sci-fi series “Alien” (from 1979). In Venice, the 74-year-old was praised for the pioneering work she had done for women in the public sphere – with complex female roles that did not serve clichés. “Thank you for creating a new dimension in cinema by portraying women in such a revolutionary way,” said actress Camille Cottin at the opening gala.

Afterwards, director James Cameron, who worked with Weaver in “Avatar,” delivered a second eulogy via video message and said: “If you ask me, she’s long overdue for an Oscar.”

In her speech, Weaver thanked her family and companions. “My Leone will sit next to me on the plane,” she joked, referring to the Italian title of the award, “Leone d’Oro.” “He will sit next to me in the gondola, and my husband will have to get used to being in bed with us.”

Hollywood stars come with their partners

After the festival was mainly populated by Italian and European actors last year due to the Hollywood strike, this year many international stars walked the red carpet again. Actress Cate Blanchett and musician Patti Smith posed together for the photographers.

Weaver came to Venice with her husband Jim Simpson. The couple has been married for 40 years. Many other stars also walked the red carpet with their partners.

For example, Willem Dafoe with his wife, the Italian actress and director Giada Colagrande. Winona Ryder brought her partner, the fashion designer Scott MacKinlay Hahn.

And director Tim Burton walked hand in hand with his girlfriend, actress Monica Bellucci, across the carpet. His film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” was the first film to be shown after the opening ceremony. Alongside Bellucci, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Willem Dafoe and Jenna Ortega also star.

“BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice”

“Beetlejuice” tells the story of a rebellious poltergeist. Embodied by Keaton with dark circles under his eyes and messy hair, he has become an iconic figure in pop culture since his release in 1988. It has now taken a long time for the sequel to arrive.

Lydia Deetz (Ryder), who was already haunted by Beetlejuice in the first part, is still haunted by him 30 years later. After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return to the house where it all began – and new misfortune is not long in coming.

“Wednesday” actress Ortega is a new member of the cast. “I was a huge fan of the first one,” she said. “When I joined and knew I was joining a team of giants and people who are so special and talented at what they do, I just tried to mind my own business.”

Ortega walked the carpet in a red tulle dress – a nod to a dress her on-screen mother, played by Ryder, wears in the film. Ryder said in Venice: “I was so excited to be with everyone again. The first film was such a special experience. Just being able to go back there was a dream come true.”