As a movie critic with a background in social activism and a deep interest in the intersection of politics and cinema, I find the lineup for the Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week to be both thought-provoking and timely. The selection of films represents a diverse range of voices and perspectives, from Michael Premo’s “Homegrown,” which documents the disturbing rise of white supremacist Trump supporters, to Milad Tangshir’s “Anywhere Anytime,” a poignant tale of an illegal immigrant’s struggle in Turin.
Michael Premo’s documentary “Homegrown,” which chronicles a gang of white supremacist backers of Donald Trump during his 2020 election campaign and leads up to the assault on the Capitol, is one of the films selected for its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week.
Premo, who was born in Brooklyn, made a substantial contribution to both the Occupy Wall Street movement and the relief efforts during Hurricane Sandy.
In the segment showcasing debut projects, the opening film outside of competition is “Planet B” by French filmmaker Aude Léa Rapin. This thought-provoking sci-fi cyberpunk production features Adèle Exarchopoulos (“Blue Is the Warmest Color”) in the cast. The story follows a band of political agitators from 2039 France, who, hunted by the authorities, mysteriously vanish and later resurface in an entirely new world as described in the synopsis.
In addition to “Homegrown,” the competition includes seven other titles. One of them is “Anywhere Anytime,” an Italian drama directed by Milad Tangshir, who was born in Iran. This film draws inspiration from Vittorio De Sica’s “Bicycle Thieves.” The story follows a young illegal immigrant residing in Turin who finds employment as a food delivery rider. Unfortunately, his bicycle gets stolen, creating new challenges for him.
Vietnamese director Dương Diệu Linh is entering the competition with “Don’t Cry, Butterfly,” a film that revolves around a wedding venue employee who finds out her husband is being unfaithful in a live TV broadcast. French-American filmmaker Alexandra Simpson is introducing her atmospheric drama “No Sleep Till,” which is set in Florida. Lastly, British-French filmmaker Jethro Massey is making his debut with the romantic comedy “Paul and Paulette Take a Bath.” This movie follows the story of a young American photographer and a French girl with a peculiar taste for the macabre as they embark on an unusual road trip.
As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for international cinema, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering some truly remarkable films from all corners of the globe. Among the latest additions to my must-watch list are two gems that are poised to leave a lasting impact on audiences: Austrian tragicomedy “Peacock,” helmed by filmmaker Bernhard Wenger, and Egyptian allegorical film “Perfumed With Mint,” which marks the directorial debut of Emmy-winning cinematographer Mahammed Hamdy.
In a swift-moving thriller titled “Little Jaffna,” French filmmaker Lawrence Valin portrays the tense urban landscape of Paris’ Tamil community, unfolding events on its bustling streets and in its neighborhoods.
In explaining her choices, Beatrice Fiorentino, the head of Venice Critics’ Week, noted that the films encompass a diverse array of productions, blending elements of “genre and art house cinema.” The selected pieces exhibit a “realistic, documentary-like approach,” infused with “occasional irony,” while some employ the “symbolic lens” of magic realism.
Venice Critics’ Week films will contend with selections in the main competition for the Lion of the Future award, Valued at $100,000, at the festival.
On Taylor, the Venice Film Festival will unveil its list of selected films. Commencing on the 28th of August and concluding on the 7th of September, this year’s 81st Venice Film Festival promises an exciting lineup.
COMPETITION
“Anywhere Anytime,” Milad Tangshir (Italy)
“Don’t Cry, Butterfly,” Dương Diệu Linh (Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia)
“Homegrown,” Michael Premo (United States)
“No Sleep Till,” Alexandra Simpson (United States, Switzerland)
“Paul & Paulette Take a Bath,” Jethro Massey (United Kingdom)
“Peacock,” Bernhard Wenger (Austria, Germany)
“Perfumed With Mint,” Muhammed Hamdy (Egypt, France, Tunisia)
OUT OF COMPETITION
Opening Film: “Planet B,” Aude Léa Rapin (France, Belgium)
Closing Film: “Little Jaffna,” Lawrence Valin (France)
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2024-07-22 12:18