The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival awarded the Golden Lion to Pedro Almodovar and his “The Room Next Door” which, since its premiere, has excited and moved everyone. The film, which consists of a real reflection on euthanasia and the freedom to choose between living or dying has, once again, female protagonists of great importance: Tilda Wilson, in the role of a woman terminally ill with cancer, and Julianne Moore, the friend who accompanies her in the difficult decision to die.
“I dedicate the Lion to my family and my brother Agustin” declared the director from the stage. “I share the prize with all the crew – he continued – but in particular with Tilda and Julianne, the prize belongs to them. They have done a miracle and I do not have enough words to thank them. The film is about a woman who is in agony in a world that is in agony and a friend who wants to share her last days with her.
The film also talks about unrestricted solidarity but also about the decision to end one’s life when it becomes only pain. Leaving this clean world is a human right and not a political fact – he concluded – and I hope that governments have laws adequate to this desire. The human being must be free to live and die”. In Italy, “The Room Next Door” will be released on 5 December with the title “La stanza accanto”.
Italy wins with “Vermiglio” by Maura Delpero
The silver Lion-Grand Prize of the Jury was won by Italy, precisely by “Vermiglio” by Maura Delpero. An unexpected victory and not because the film had not liked, on the contrary, simply because in the competition there were names and productions certainly more known and international.
Set during the Second World War, the film tells the story of three poor girls whose destinies are abruptly interrupted. “A difficult film, born from a dream,” explains the director. But not only: at the award ceremony, Delpero added: “This film was made with public support, without these supports the film would have betrayed itself would not have had its music, dialect and I could not choose faces one by one and I could not listen to the silence. We encourage dialogue between independent filmmakers and institutions. I bring the Lion to my Caterina who had patience with the mother director and the father actor. I hope that the company does not leave women alone”. The film will be shown in all cinemas from 19 September.
The Fox Cup to Nicole Kidman and Vincent Lindon
The Coppa Volti award for female performance went to Nicole Kidman, absent due to her mother’s unexpected death: “Today I arrived in Venice and I learned that my wonderful mother Janelle Ann has passed away – she said through the director – I was shocked and had to return to my family. This moment is incredible, my heart is broken”. The film, entitled “Babygirl”, is a psychological thriller that investigates the forbidden desires of each of us and will be seen in Italian cinemas in December.
The Coppa Volpi for male performance, on the other hand, was awarded to Vincent Lindon, protagonist of “Jouer avec le feux” by the sisters directors Delphine Coulin and Muriel Coulin. The story of a worker who raised his children alone after his wife died and who always worked in the union alongside the workers. From the stage, Lindon said: “I am extremely excited and remember that since I was a child I was convinced that with the French language, like English and Italian, words are not enough when you are excited.
It is thanks to those who make you light and who saves your life – he added – but also to this jury for this prize I dreamed and that changes my life. Isabelle goods, Isabelle goods, Isabelle goods. And then he gives the names of all the jurors, to Isabelle it is rare that someone is so generous with someone from his own country”. The feature will be shown in French cinemas from 22 January 2025, and then also arrive in Italy.
Francesco Gheghi wins the Orizzonti Award with “Familia”
With his performance in “Familia”, a story of domestic violence, inspired by events that really happened, Francesco Gheghi won the Orizzonti award for best actor. “The prize is heavy, I didn’t memorize the speech because I would have struggled more than to make the film. Thank you for this recognition and for making me cry – said, very excited, the 22 year old at the award ceremony – and I would like to share this prize with all the actors of my generation.
Thank you Francesco Costabile for the trust and all the cast for having accompanied me with strength in this story. I dedicate the award to my mom and dad for raising a child with serenity that as this film has shown we take too much for granted. To Gigi Celeste thank you for sharing your story and your pain”.
The “unawarded” films not to be missed
They were the most anticipated films, but they did not receive any awards: “Queer” by Luca Guadagnino, “Joker: Folie à Deux” by Todd Philips and “Maria” by Steven Knight and Pablo Larraín.
With a spectacular Daniel Craig, who turned from sexy James Bond into an American drifter wandering around a 1940s Mexico City, “Queer” is inspired by the 1950s novel Lgbtq+ by William Burroughs Checca. Because of the extreme sex scenes between Daniel Craig, in the role of William Lee, and Drew Starkey, in the role of Eugene Allerton, the film has been called scandalous.
“Except that it’s a word I don’t like and doesn’t match,” Craig said at a press conference. “The scandal has to do with something that breaks into a universe of which one wants to be part. I am myself – he stressed – regardless of what others expect». The date of its release in Italian cinemas has not yet been announced. “A love story unlike any other”: This is how Lady Gaga describes the bond between Joker and Harley Quinn, protagonists of “Joker: Folie à Deux” by Todd Philips. Joaquin Phoenix confirms his extreme skill and returns to make up his face in this sequel that, according to critics, is “one of the most daring, courageous and creative films of recent American cinema”. It will be shown in Italian cinemas from 2 October.
Finally, “Maria” by Steven Knigh and Pablo Larraín tells the last years of the famous soprano Maria Callas, played by an extraordinary Angelina Jolie. The actress, at a press conference, accompanied by Pierfrancesco Favino – among the protagonists – said: “I and Maria are two very similar women, both very vulnerable” emphasizing the link between her and the character. In Italy it will be possible to see it in the cinema from 1 January 2025.
Copertina: Unsplash
