Highlights and Anticipations at the 2023 Venice Film Festival

Venice Film Festival 2023: What to Expect

The 81st edition of the prestigious Venice Film Festival kicks off on Wednesday, featuring the much-anticipated premiere of Tim Burton’s sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Following this, audiences can look forward to star-studded films such as the audaciously provocative “Babygirl” starring Nicole Kidman, and the highly anticipated collaboration between George Clooney and Brad Pitt in “Wolfs.” As the festival is widely regarded as the unofficial launchpad for Oscar season, here are four pivotal questions we hope to see addressed throughout the event.

Will Joaquin Phoenix Face the Music?

There has been speculation about a Venice debut for “Joker: Folie à Deux,” particularly since the original “Joker” won the festival’s coveted Golden Lion award five years ago. Can this sequel replicate the remarkable success of its predecessor, which grossed over a billion dollars at the box office and earned Joaquin Phoenix an Academy Award for Best Actor? This new installment introduces song-and-dance sequences and features the formidable Lady Gaga as a co-star, indicating that significant creative risks have been taken.

However, the press conference for “Joker: Folie à Deux” may garner even more attention than the film itself, especially in light of recent headlines surrounding Phoenix. The actor has made waves by dropping out of a Todd Haynes film just as production was set to begin, leading to speculation about potential legal repercussions. Will he engage with reporters and address the surrounding controversy, or will he opt to skip the conference entirely, reminiscent of Florence Pugh’s infamous absence during her press duties for “Don’t Worry Darling” two years ago amidst rumors of a feud with director Olivia Wilde?

Can ‘Queer’ and ‘Maria’ Make a Mark?

Among the most awaited titles at Venice this year are “Queer,” directed by Luca Guadagnino, an adaptation of the William S. Burroughs novel featuring Daniel Craig, and Pablo Larraín’s “Maria,” which stars Angelina Jolie as the iconic opera singer Maria Callas. Despite the excitement surrounding these films, both are still on the hunt for distributors.

In the aftermath of the writers’ and actors’ strikes, many studios have found their year-end release schedules looking quite sparse. This has led to a cautious approach from potential buyers who have previewed these films. Instead of a bidding frenzy, they are adopting a wait-and-see strategy. However, a grand premiere at Venice combined with the inevitable Oscar buzz could significantly enhance their marketability and facilitate a sale.