The prestigious festival starts with a masterpiece
The renowned Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino will be in charge of opening the 82nd edition of the Venice International Film Festival with his most recent production, La Grazia. The film, which will compete for the coveted Golden Lion, will have its world premiere on August 27 in the emblematic Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema, consolidating its position as one of the most relevant cinematographic events of the year.
An immersive and current plot
According to reports from specialized media such as Deadline and Variety, the film starring Toni Servillo and Anna Ferzetti explores the last days of a fictional presidency in Italy. Although plot details are kept secret, a bold narrative deeply connected to contemporary political reality is anticipated. Sorrentino, known for his poetic visual style and sharp social criticism, promises a work that combines originality and historical relevance.
Alberto Barbera, artistic director of the festival, expressed his enthusiasm: “I am very happy that the festival will open with the new and highly anticipated film by Paolo Sorrentino”. Barbera highlighted the director’s career in Venice, where he has presented acclaimed films such as One Man Up and Fue la Mano de Dios, the latter awarded the Silver Lion in 2021.
A consolidated cinematographic legacy
Born in Naples in 1970, Paolo Sorrentino is a key figure of contemporary European cinema. His filmography includes iconic works such as Il Divo (Jury Prize at Cannes) and The Great Beauty, winner of the Oscar, the Golden Globe and the BAFTA for Best Foreign Film in 2014. With La Grazia, produced by The Apartment, Numero 10 and PiperFilm, The director returns to the Venetian competition with a proposal that, according to Barbera, “stands out for its visual impact and its thematic urgency.”
The festival, which will be held from August 27 to September 6, will bring together the most select of the industry, from emerging to established filmmakers, in a setting that has historically catapulted careers and defined artistic trends. The choice of Sorrentino as the opening reinforces the event’s commitment to auteur cinema and narrative innovation.
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