Well, it’s official: Variety reports that Luca Guadagnino‘s latest, his tennis love triangle film “Challengers,” will open the 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival. No surprise there, as Guada has premiered five of his seven feature films on the Lido. And after winning a Silver Lion for directing last year for “Bones And All” (Taylor Russell won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for acting, too), it only makes sense for the Italian director to return to Venice for his follow-up.
But even though “Challengers” opens the festival, the film won’t compete for the Golden Lion, Venice’s top prize. Zendaya leads the cast of Guada’s new film, his first through a US studio, about a former tennis prodigy turned coach caught in a love triangle between her husband and his best friend. Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist are the other two leads. Also of note: cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, who shot “Call Me By Your Name” and “Suspiria,” returns to shoot “Challengers.” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross provide the film’s soundtrack.
Here’s an official synopsis of “Challengers,” courtesy of MGM:
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
“It’s a modern bold story of youthful energy, love and power,” Guadagnino said about “Challengers” in a press statement about the Venice news. “Zendaya, Josh and Mike are totally original and fresh, bringing a new energy like you’ve never seen before. I can’t wait for the Lido audience to dance across the notes of the soundtrack of Trent and Atticus at the opening night of the 80th edition of the Mostra. As a filmmaker, it is a dream come true and I am grateful to Alberto [Barbera] and the whole Venice family for this wonderful recognition for the film.”
Venice art director Barbera had a statement of his own about the film: “Luca Guadagnino is one of the few Italian directors who has always been accustomed to working with both Italian and foreign actresses and actors, getting top results from all of them each time. Even when he is filming abroad, as is the case with “Challengers.” With a light hand and sporting self-confidence, Guadagnino sets no limits to his creative energy in this film as he deals with topics such as love, friendship, and male rivalry, and brings to life an enthralling and affecting movie, full of irony, sensuality, and good nature. Cinema in its purest form.”
What else is there to say about “Challengers”? Justin Kuritzkes pens the film’s script, while Amy Pascal, Gaudagnino, Zendaya, and Rachel O’Connor produce the film. Bernard Bellews, Lorenzo Miele, and Kevin Ulrich also serve as executive producers.
“Challengers” kicks off the Venice Film Festival on August 30 with its world premiere at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Venice Lido. Watch the first trailer for Guadagnino’s film below.
