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Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
Top stars and directors head to Venice for high-powered 2025 festival
Hollywood stars, Oscar-winning directors, Asian heavyweights and European auteurs will vie for top honours at this year's stellar Venice Film Festival, all looking to make a splash at the start of the awards season. Running from August 27 to September 6, the 82nd edition of the world's oldest film festival will showcase a rich array of movies that spans psychological thrillers, art-house dramas, genre-bending experiments, documentaries, and buzzy studio-backed productions. Among the leading A-listers expected to walk the Venice Lido's red carpet are Julia Roberts, Emma Stone, George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac, Cate Blanchett and Amanda Seyfried. Netflix returns A who's-who of global directors will also be premiering their latest pictures at the 11-day event, including U.S. filmmakers Kathryn Bigelow, Jim Jarmusch, Noah Baumbach and Benny Safdie, alongside top Europeans Yorgos Lanthimos, Paolo Sorrentino, and Laszlo Nemes, and Asia's Park Chan-wook and Shu Qi. Netflix, which skipped Venice last year, returns in full force in 2025 with a trio of headline-grabbing titles, including Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein', a new take on the classic horror tale starring Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth. Baumbach's comedy-drama 'Jay Kelly', starring Clooney, Adam Sandler and Laura Dern, is also in the main competition and on the Netflix slate, alongside the geopolitical thriller 'A House of Dynamite', with Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson, and directed by Bigelow, who won an Oscar in 2010 for 'The Hurt Locker'. Venice fires the starting gun for the awards season, with films premiering on the Lido in the last four years collecting more than 90 Oscar nominations and winning almost 20, making it the place to be seen for actors, producers and directors alike. In the past nine editions of the Oscars, the award for Best Actress or Best Actor has gone eight times to the protagonists of films first seen in Venice, including Stone for her role in 'Poor Things' in 2024. Fighters and families Stone returns to Venice this year, teaming up again with 'Poor Things' director Lanthimos in an offbeat satire, 'Bugonia'. The indie icon of U.S. cinema, Jim Jarmusch, will be showing his 'Father Mother Sister Brother', a three-part tale exploring fractured families with a cast that includes Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Adam Driver and Tom Waits. Another U.S. film getting its first outing at Venice is the MMA fighter biopic 'The Smashing Machine', starring Johnson and Blunt, and directed by Benny Safdie. A very different biopic is 'The Testament of Ann Lee' - a musical take on the life of the radical 18th-century Shaker leader, which stars Seyfried and is directed by Norway's Mona Fastvold. European auteurs are well-represented, with Paolo Sorrentino's 'La Grazia', starring Toni Servillo, selected as the festival's opening film, while Hungary's Nemes presents the family drama 'Orphan' and France's Francois Ozon showcases his retelling of Albert Camus' celebrated novel 'The Stranger'. Another French director, Olivier Assayas, will premiere 'The Wizard of the Kremlin' – a political thriller about the rise of Vladimir Putin, starring Paul Dano and Alicia Vikander, with Jude Law playing the Russian leader. Tragic story of palestinian girl One film that looks certain to raise emotions is Kaouther Ben Hania's 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', which uses original emergency service recordings to tell the story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in Gaza in 2024 after being trapped for hours in a vehicle targeted by Israeli forces. 'I think it is one of the films that will make the greatest impression, and hopefully (won't be) controversial,' said the festival's artistic director, Alberto Barbera, his voice trembling as he recalled the movie. Among the battery of films being shown out of competition is Luca Guadagnino's MeToo-themed psychological drama 'After The Hunt', starring Ayo Edebiri, Garfield and Julia Roberts, who will be making her red carpet debut at Venice, Barbera said. The jury for the main competition will be chaired by U.S. director Alexander Payne. He will be joined by fellow directors Stephane Brize, Maura Delpero, Cristian Mungiu, Mohammad Rasoulof, and the actresses Fernanda Torres and Zhao Tao.
UPI
a day ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Venice Film Festival: 'Frankenstein,' 'Smashing Machine' among lineup
1 of 3 | Dwayne Johnson stars in "The Smashing Machine," a sports drama directed by Benny Safdie that will screen In Competition at the Venice International Film Festival. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 22 (UPI) -- The 82nd annual Venice International Film Festival announced its 2025 lineup Tuesday. The roster of films is a pool of both splashy titles with major names attached, to smaller flicks hoping to make more than a ripple as they take the fest plunge. Set to run from Aug. 27 through Sept. 6, some of the festival's more anticipated movies include Bugonia, a sci-fi dark comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring frequent collaborator Emma Stone, and The Smashing Machine, director Benny Safdie's tale about two-time UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson. Also screening In Competition is Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic gothic novel. Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth star in the film, which will be released on Netflix. Two other original offerings from Netflix were also selected: Kathryn Bigelow's A House of Dynamite, with Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Greta Lee, Gabriel Basso and Jared Harris on deck, and Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly, starring George Clooney. Fellow streamer Mubi's movies are also likely to grab some eyes, as its La Grazia, from Paolo Sorrentino, will open the festival. Father Mother Sister Brother, directed by Jim Jarmusch and starring Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Adam Driver and Charlotte Rampling, will also screen. Out of Competition titles include Luca Guadagnino's After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri, and Julian Schnabel's In the Hand of Dante, featuring Martin Scorsese, Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot and Gerard Butler. Gus Van Sant's Dead Man's Wire, starring a powerful trio of Bill Skarsgård, Colman Domingo and Al Pacino, was also selected, along with Marc by Sofia, Sofia Coppola's documentary about fashion designer Marc Jacobs, and the Werner Herzog documentary Ghost Elephants. As for indie entries, Mona Fastvold's The Testament of Ann Lee, starring Amanda Seyfried, is another piece that has some buzz. Dwayne Johnson turns 52: a look back Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson poses with his wax image, which was unveiled for the media on April 10, 2002, at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in New York City. Earlier that year, the wrestler made his acting debut in "The Scorpion King." Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jim Jarmusch's ‘Father Mother Sister Brother' Will Premiere at Venice, MUBI Chief Says
We were disappointed when the Cannes lineup came out and Jim Jarmusch's next film was not on it. But it seems like we just had to wait a little longer. Efe Cakarel, the CEO of MUBI, which is distributing Jarmusch's next movie, told a crowd at SXSW London that Jarmusch's 'Father Mother Sister Brother' will premiere at the Venice Film Festival in the main competition. More from IndieWire 'It's Dorothy!' Review: The 'Wizard of Oz' Heroine's Cultural Impact Is Closely Considered in This Energetic Doc Academy Museum Brings 'Wonders of Technicolor' Series to New York with 'Willy Wonka,' 'The Red Shoes,' 'Cabaret,' and More 'That's already confirmed,' he said during a keynote speech at the festival on Friday (via Variety). He also added one other movie joining the lineup that MUBI will be releasing, Paolo Sorrentino's next movie 'La Grazia' starring Toni Servillo. Venice won't announce its lineup for some time, but it's an exciting get for the festival and could be the first of several high profile contenders on the Biennale. Benny Safdie's 'The Smashing Machine' from A24 has been rumored, as has Chloé Zhao's 'Hamnet.' You could also keep a lookout for 'After the Hunt' from Luca Guadagnino, 'Bugonia' from Yorgos Lanthimos, 'Sacrifice' from Romain Gavras, or 'Anemone' from Ronan Day-Lewis, just to name a few possible options. 'Father Mother Sister Brother' is a triptych film from the indie auteur, with each part of the story being set in a different country and following adult children and their estranged parents reconnecting. It stars Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, Vicky Krieps, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Indya Moore, and Tom Waits. Part one, 'Father,' is set in the Northeastern U.S., 'Mother' is in Dublin, and 'Sister Brother' is in Paris. Just about all of Jarmusch's recent movies have premiered at Cannes, so it was quite the surprise when he didn't make the cut. The last time he took a film to Venice was in 2003 for 'Coffee & Cigarettes.' His last feature was 2019's 'The Dead Don't Die,' so a new Jarmusch movie and a chance to see one of the coolest men alive on the red carpet is always a special occasion. Spike Lee recently praised Jarmusch as a key influence on his early career when Lee was in grad school, and Bill Murray said back in March that he believed his performance in Jarmusch's 'Broken Flowers' was the best of his career. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
A24 in talks with Darren Aronofsky to direct Dwayne Johnson-starrer Breakthrough
This marks Johnson's second collaboration with A24. He is set to appear in Benny Safdie's The Smashing Machine, slated for an October release. Best known for his blockbuster and family-friendly roles in films like Jungle Cruise and Red One, Johnson has recently been aligning with more auteur-driven ventures. He's also attached to a Hawaii-set mob drama directed by Martin Scorsese, starring alongside Emily Blunt and Leonardo DiCaprio. As for Aronofsky, Breakthrough would come on the heels of his upcoming crime thriller Caught Stealing.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Adam Sandler Asks Bad Bunny to Be His Caddy Daddy in ‘Happy Gilmore 2' Trailer
Adam Sandler has called in his team of all-stars for 'Happy Gilmore 2.' Yes, the long-awaited sequel to the iconic 1996 sports comedy is actually finally happening, and there are more than a few starry cameos on the green. Sandler reprises his role as the titular unsuccessful ice hockey player turned unlikely golf pro. He is joined again by Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald, who both are back in the roles they starred in for the 1996 original. Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny, Kid Cudi, and Sandler's 'Uncut Gems' director Benny Safdie also are in the sequel, with Sandler telling IndieWire that Safdie has a 'juicy part.' Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Will Zalatoris also star. More from IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' Teaser: Oscar Isaac Resurrects Jacob Elordi in Gothic Retelling Netflix Shares First Look and Release Date for 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' 'Happy Gilmore 2' is directed by Kyle Newacheck ('Workaholics,' 'What We Do in the Shadows'), who also previously helmed Sandler's 2019 film 'Murder Mystery.' Sandler cowrote 'Happy Gilmore 2' with Tim Herlihy, who also cowrote the original. Sandler recently lamented the loss of former 'Happy Gilmore' actor, alligator Morris, who died at an estimated age of 80. In the 1996 film, Morris infamously is confronted by Sandler's Happy; Morris grabs a golf ball on the green, leading Happy to realize that it is the same gator who chomped on the hand of his mentor, Chubbs (Carl Weathers). 'Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you,' Sandler tweeted after the news of Morris' passing was made public May 12. 'You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers — really anyone with arms or legs — but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film.' Sandler recalled how much the animal actor was missed on set for the sequel, saying, 'I know your character's decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel, but we all appreciated the fruit basket and the hilarious note,' he quipped. 'I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend.' 'Happy Gilmore 2' premieres July 25 on Netflix. Check out the trailer below. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie The 55 Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
