VENICE: Hollywood’s ongoing industry crisis has reduced major US studio participation at this year’s Venice Film Festival, allowing politically charged films and documentaries examining global conflicts and social upheaval to take greater prominence.
Festival director Alberto Barbera said Hollywood studios were producing fewer and increasingly expensive films while facing uncertainty over commercial returns. Tighter budgets have also reportedly made studios less willing to finance costly Venice premieres.
The festival opens on Wednesday and runs until September 12. Traditionally considered an important launchpad for awards-season contenders, Venice will feature fewer studio-backed productions this year, continuing a trend also seen at Cannes in May.
Major Stars and Directors Still Head to Venice
Despite Hollywood’s reduced studio presence, the festival will retain significant star power. George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn will receive lifetime achievement awards, while Robert Pattinson, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, John Malkovich and Rooney Mara are expected to attend.
Meanwhile, Liam and Noel Gallagher will appear for the premiere of an Oasis reunion documentary.
Directors Martin McDonagh, Florian Zeller, Danny Boyle and Werner Herzog will also compete for the Golden Lion.
Boyle’s “Ink,” which examines Rupert Murdoch’s 1969 takeover of British tabloid The Sun, will open the festival.
Documentaries Put Wars and Social Issues in Spotlight
Barbera said organisers reviewed a record 4,500 submissions and noticed filmmakers increasingly addressing war, migration, climate change and pressure on democratic institutions.
Consequently, documentaries have secured a prominent place in the programme.
Alex Gibney will present a nearly four-hour portrait of Elon Musk, while Laura Poitras and Rachel Lauren Mueller’s “They’re Here” examines US immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.
Furthermore, the Gaza conflict features prominently, with four selected works addressing Israel, Gaza and Palestine. Among them, Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor’s documentary “NAZA” examines Palestinian civilian deaths.
