With Cannes and Tribeca in the rearview, it’s time to set our sights on the next major festival coming our way, which is Venice. And sure, we’re still a month or so away from the Venice folks announcing their lineup, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do what everyone loves to do—selection speculation!
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And according to a new report from Variety, we have several films that seem to be locked up as debuting in competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival. The report claims that five filmmakers have received invites to compete at this year’s event, including Pablo Larrain (“El Conde”), Michael Mann (“Ferrari“), Sofia Coppola (“Priscilla“), Yorgos Lanthimos (“Poor Things”), and Michel Franco (“Memory”). Yes, that’s a very stacked lineup, but pretty par for the course with recent years at Venice.
It’s difficult to pin down which of those films is the most exciting prospect for Venice. Michael Mann is a legend, and his “Ferrari” biopic is a star-studded affair with a cast led by Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz, and Shailene Woodley. Then you have Yorgos Lanthimos, who can’t seem to go wrong with his recent films, and the new “Poor Things,” which stars Emma Stone. The last time these two worked together, on “The Favourite,” plenty of awards were handed out. Pablo Larrain is also no stranger to acclaim and award recognition, and his “El Conde” looks to mix things up a bit for the filmmaker, as the film focuses on dictator Augusto Pinochet but as a vampire. Then you have Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” which is especially interesting in light of last year’s “Elvis.” And lastly, let’s not forget Michel Franco’s “Memory,” which stars Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard but with a mysterious plot that still hasn’t been released.
Needless to say, each one of those films is worthy of the immense amount of hype surely coming their way.
In addition to the above films, it’s being reported that Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” will likely debut at the event, but out of competition. Another film that has a chance of making its world premiere in Venice is the latest from Woody Allen, “Coup de Chance,” but again, it would be outside of the competition. There’s also Luc Besson’s latest, “DogMan,” and a new film from director Timm Kroger.
This year’s Venice Film Festival is set to begin on August 30.
