The 2024 Venice Film Festival, held at Lido di Venezia, one of the most renowned events on the world film calendar, featured an exciting blend of cinematic craftsmanship and critical discussion. As usual, the festival drew a slew of top directors, actresses, and producers vying for the prized Golden Lion and other awards. This year’s edition was no exception, with a mix of high-profile Hollywood projects and auteur-driven smaller films capturing attention.
Highlights and Standout Films
One of the standout moments of the festival was The Brutalist, a historical drama directed by Brady Corbet featuring Adrien Brody. The film quickly captured the attention of audiences and critics alike, establishing itself as a frontrunner thanks to its compelling narrative and striking visual design about architectural ambition and human tragedies. Brody’s nuanced performance further solidified the film’s status as a festival favourite, elevating it beyond standard historical drama into a deeply resonant cinematic experience.
On the flipside, The Wolfs, featuring Hollywood titans Brad Pitt and George Clooney, did not perform as well. Despite its A-list ensemble and the significant anticipation around its release, the picture received lacklustre reviews from critics. While Pitt and Clooney’s chemistry is normally reliable, it appeared to be absent in this production, leaving festival attendees disappointed.
Angelina Jolie made her return to the screen at the Venice Film Festival with her role in Maria, a film that garnered mixed responses. While some complimented Jolie’s emotionally devoted and multifaceted performance, others believed the film’s plot was lacking. However, her unmistakable star power kept the picture in the limelight throughout the festival, ensuring that it remained one of the most talked-about entrants despite its mixed reviews.
On the contrary, Nicole Kidman’s performance in Halina Reijn’s Babygirl, was well received by both critics and audiences. In an industry that struggles to convey the intricacies and complexity of the sexuality of older women, Babygirl presents a compelling story with Kidman’s magnetic presence on screen shining through.
Perhaps the most daring shift this year was the resurgence of eroticism in cinema, with films that explored sensuality and desire through sophisticated and creative lenses. Unlike past incarnations of this genre of films, which relied on shock value, these new entrants explored intimacy with delicacy and depth, spurring crucial discussions about the changing representation of sexuality in cinema.
Awards and Winners
The prestigious Golden Lion Award, the highest honour bestowed at the Venice Film Festival, was awarded to The Room Next Door by two-time Academy Award Winner Pedro Almodóvar. Other notable winners included:
- Silver Lion for Best Director: Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”
- Grand Jury Prize: “Vermiglio,” Maura Delpero
- Special Jury Prize: “April,” Dea Kulumbegashvili
- Best Screenplay: Murilo Hauser, Heitor Lorega, “I’m Still Here”
- Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Nicole Kidman, “Babygirl”
- Volpi Cup for Best Actor: Vincent Lindon, “The Quiet Son”
- Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor: Paul Kircher, “And Their Children After Them”
