The 81st Venice Film Festival concludes with the premiere of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2 and the much-anticipated awards ceremony. This year’s competition has been divisive, with no clear frontrunner for the top prize. Contenders include Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux, Pablo Larraín’s Maria starring Angelina Jolie, and Luca Guadagnino’s Queer with Daniel Craig. The festival has been a launchpad for Oscar hopefuls in the past, and this year is no different, with buzz around performances from Nicole Kidman, Lady Gaga, and Jolie. The festival also saw a return of star power with appearances by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and others. Costner’s film comes after the first chapter struggled at the box office, hoping for better reception via the festival route. Venice continues to play a key role in the awards season landscape.
QUICK READ
- Venice Film Festival wraps up with the premiere of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 and the anticipation of major awards.
- The 81st edition has featured a range of divisive films, with no clear frontrunner for the top prize.
- High-profile films like Joker: Folie à Deux (Todd Phillips), Maria (Pablo Larraín), Babygirl (Nicole Kidman), and Queer (Luca Guadagnino) compete for major awards.
- Stars like Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix, Nicole Kidman, and Daniel Craig created major buzz, along with memorable fashion moments on the red carpet.
- Venice continues to cement its place as a major player in the awards season, with previous Golden Lion winners going on to Oscar glory.
Venice Film Festival wrap-up: Awards, buzz & Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’ premiere
Newslooks- VENICE, Italy
The 81st Venice Film Festival comes to a close on Saturday with the world premiere of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2 and the highly anticipated awards ceremony. With no consensus favorites this year, all eyes are on what Isabelle Huppert’s jury will decide. The competition has been divisive, with films generating both passionate supporters and vocal detractors.
Among the top contenders for the coveted Golden Lion are Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga; Pablo Larraín’s Maria, starring Angelina Jolie as opera legend Maria Callas; Babygirl, an erotic thriller with Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson; Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ Queer, with Daniel Craig in a transformative role; and Brady Corbet’s post-war epic The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody. Other notable films include Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, an English-language exploration of death and friendship with Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.
Venice has long been a launchpad for awards season contenders. Past winners like Joker, Poor Things, and All the Beauty and the Bloodshed have gone on to Oscar recognition. The festival has become essential in promoting films with awards potential, and this year is no different, with buzz surrounding performances from Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Lady Gaga, and Angelina Jolie.
The 2024 edition of the festival also saw a return to full star power after last year’s event was impacted by strikes. Hollywood A-listers like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Ethan Hawke added glamour to the Lido. Fashion played a big role as well, with Lady Gaga making waves in a Christian Dior gown and vintage lace headpiece, while Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett turned heads with their chic couture looks.
The festival’s final major premiere, out of competition, is Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2. After the first chapter fizzled at the box office, Chapter Two is following the festival route in hopes of gaining traction. With the awards ceremony just hours away, Venice has once again proven itself as a vital platform for international cinema, with the potential to influence the upcoming awards season.
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