VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

TRADITIONALLY a non-audience festival, Venice has in recent times faced up to some of the problems, which made it one of the least pleasant festivals to attend.
Huge crowds, very poor ticketing systems and long delays were not uncommon, and these problems were frequently more of a talking point than the films themselves.
The festival organisers have made a concerted effort to overcome these difficulties, however, this year, they are faced with another problem.
Practically all of the cinemas in Italy are closed for the summer months, due to the intense heat and the unwillingness of the public to attend films during this period.
This year though, a new strategy has been applied, whereby Italian distributors and exhibitors have opened their big blockbusters during the summer months, and this has restricted the festivals ability to secure higher profile films and guests this year.
While still a very impressive programme, the organisers feel that the extension of the Italian distribution season has had a somewhat negative effect. However, the result is a more eclectic line-up featuring only two US produced films in competition.
‘Space Cowboys’, the new film produced, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood opens the festival. Eastwood is scheduled to attend the opening night ceremony where he will also receive a lifetime achievement award.
The fact that Venice immediately precedes the Toronto International Film Festival inevitably means that some of the programme will be duplicated.
Several titles showing in both festivals this year are Julian Schnabels follow-up to his acclaimed ‘Basquiat’, ‘Before Night Falls’; Robert Altman’s latest film, ‘Dr.T and the Women’, which stars Richard Gere; and the new feature by Stephen Frears, hot on the heels of ‘High Fidelity’, is ‘Liam’, an Irish depression drama.
The line-up of guests at Venice this year includes Richard Gere, publicising the new Altman film; Jennifer Lopez, who is currently starring in the number one movie in the US, ‘The Cell’, and who has two more movies over the next six months, and Johnny Depp, due to commence work on Terry Gilliam’s ‘Don Quixote’ very soon.
The festival will take place at Venice Lido and at other venues throughout the city from August 30 – September 9.