Passionate about film? Then you probably know that the 79th Venice Film Festival is now underway at the Lido! Over the next ten days, an extensive lineup of new movies will be screened to celebrate and promote international cinema.
The world’s oldest film festival attracts a whole host of glittering movie stars, filmmakers and industry bods, as well as members of the public, as the year’s upcoming movies compete for prestigious awards. The most coveted being the Golden Lion, awarded to the best film from the ‘In Competition’ section.
We’ve rounded up eight films from the lineup that are getting a lot of buzz right now – so look out for them when they’re released…
Bones and All
After being abandoned by her mother, Maren (Taylor Russell) embarks on a thousand-mile odyssey through the backstreets of Ronald Regan’s America. She meets and falls in love with Lee (Timothée Chalamet), a drifter with his own terrifying demons. Will their love survive? You’ll have to watch Bones and All, directed by Luca Guadagnino, to find out! Take a sneak preview.
White Noise
White Noise is an adaptation of Don DeLillo’s 1985 book of the same name from writer/director and Academy Award nominee Noah Baumbach. The plot dramatises the attempts of a modern American family as they deal with life, love, death and happiness. It stars Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig and Don Cheadle. Here’s the official teaser.
Tár
From director Todd Field comes a film focusing on world-renowned composer/conductor Lydia Tár, who is in the process of recording the symphony that’ll take her career to incredible heights. Tár is portrayed by the very talented Cate Blanchett – the director has said the script was written for this actress alone, and the film would never have been made without her. Watch the trailer.
The Whale
In The Whale, the storyline follows Charlie (Brendan Fraser), a morbidly obese, reclusive English teacher, as he tries to reconnect with his estranged 17-year-old daughter (Sadie Sink – Stranger Things). For his role, Brendan Fraser underwent a major transformation to become a 600lb man. Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Read more about this film.
The Eternal Daughter
The Eternal Daughter is a ghost story about a middle-aged woman (Tilda Swinton) and her elderly mother. They revisit their former family home (now a hotel) and are forced to confront long-buried secrets. The Eternal Daughter was written and directed by Joanna Hogg, who wanted to make a film that captured the essence of her relationship with her own mother. IONCINEMA explains more.
Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
Silverio (Daniel Giménez Cacho) is a renowned Mexican journalist and filmmaker living in LA who returns to his native country after being named the recipient of an international award. The trip pushes him to an existential limit as memories and past fears push through to the present, evoking deeply personal questions about identity, success, family, mortality and what it means to be human today. Directed by Oscar-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Bardo is a big contender for the coveted Golden Lion award. GQ magazine has more info.
Blonde
Blonde reimagines the complicated life of the iconic Marilyn Monroe (portrayed by Ana de Armas), taking us from her volatile childhood as Norma Jeane to the height of her stardom. The film, directed by Andrew Dominik, blurs the lines between fact and fiction to explore the ‘blonde bombshell’s’ public and private personas. Watch the official trailer.
Master Gardener
Paul Schrader’s Master Gardener is a crime thriller featuring Narvel Roth (Joel Edgerton) as a meticulous horticulturist, dedicated to tending the grounds of a beautiful, historic estate for a wealthy dowager (Sigourney Weaver). Chaos ensues when his employer demands that Narvel takes on an apprentice – her troubled great-niece. Here’s a first look.
Before you go, check out our other roundups of promising films released in 2022. Here are some brilliant movies from the Sundance Festival and Cannes that’ll keep you glued to your screen.
Budding filmmaker? We’ve curated eight podcasts that’ll give you plenty of film industry insights and tips. Finally, check out our Knowledge section, which is full of media and entertainment industry resources.