Film Festival without stars? But with nazi-scandal films!

Are the Venice Film Festivals a flop?

Because of the Hollywood strike, almost no US stars came to Italy. Only Adam Driver is here to promote his film ‘Ferrari’. He played ‘Kylo Ren’ in the sequel-trilogy of Star Wars. Driver says, “I’m here to support the strikers.” The strikers want more money and more rights.

The jury shows solidarity and wears T-shirts with the words ‘Writers Guild on Strike’. So is it a Film Festival without stars? Maybe, but with nazi-scandal films!

Nazi-themed films cause scandals

The opening film ‘Comandante‘ caused controversy! It was supposed to be ‘Challengers’ with superstar Zendaya in the lead role. But the distributor pulled the film back. Now there’s a moderately boring flick about an Italian submarine captain who saves Belgians in World War II. The film is full of pathos and humour, but – others claim – also full of Nazi propaganda.

On the red carpet there was hardly any glamour. Only local celebrities and the German model Toni Garrn were there. Another highlight was the British actress Charlotte Rampling, who gave an award to an old Italian director who once made a scandal film.

The film “The Night Porter” was one of the most controversial films of all time. It showed the perverse love between a Holocaust survivor and her former SS tormentor. In the most shocking scene of the film, Rampling was singing for Max and his old Nazi comrades. She wore an SS cap and breathed the song “If I could wish for something” by Marlene Dietrich. And this song was a favorite of Adolf Hitler’s. The film was criticized by many critics as a “political porno” or a “cheap provocation”. But the director Liliana Cavani defended her film as an art form that explores the psychological consequences of fascism. The film was banned in Italy in 1974 and the copies destroyed. Now it is available again on DVD and Blu-ray.

The film was banned in Italy in 1974 and the copies destroyed. Now it is available again on DVD and Blu-ray.

Film Festival defies the cancel mob?

A Film Festival without stars? The organizers invited Woody Allen (Manhatten, Annie Hall), Roman Polanski (Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown) and Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Nikita), who had all been accused of having indecent relationships with minors. Luc Besson, for example, had an affair with the actress Maïwenn Besco, whom he met in 1991 when she was 15 and he was 32. He has just been acquitted of the charge of rape. This is why a Swiss newspaper called it a “summit of the outcasts” and half-ironically praises the Italians for their resistance to the cancel culture. Film Festival without stars?

The other films at the festival

LitWord has selected some of the most interesting films for you:

Priscilla: The true story of Elvis’ dream woman! Sofia Coppola shows how Priscilla Presley (Cailee Spaeny) won the heart of the King of Rock’n’Roll (Jacob Elordi). The film is based on Priscilla’s memoirs “Elvis and Me” and shows their romantic and wild love in the 60s.

Poor Things: The craziest comedy of the year? Yorgos Lanthimos turns Frankenstein into a laugh! The film is set in Victorian England and tells the story of a doctor (Mark Ruffalo) who brings a dead prostitute (Emma Stone) back to life.

Ferrari: The fastest drama of the year! Michael Mann shows how Enzo Ferrari (Hugh Jackman) became the king of the car world. The film shows his struggle with his archenemy Maserati (Noomi Rapace) for the crown in racing.

Enea: The sweetest romance of the year? Pietro Castellitto plays a young man who falls in love with an older woman (Isabella Ferrari) who could be his mother. The film is a tribute to the Italian comedy of the 70s and to the master Federico Fellini.

Maestro: The most musical biopic of the year! Bradley Cooper makes his directorial debut and plays the brilliant composer Leonard Bernstein (Cooper), who is famous for his works like West Side Story and Candide. The film shows his artistic development and his turbulent marriage with the actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan).

The Venice Film Festival: An Italian Academy Awards?

The Venice Film Festival is part of the Biennale that takes place every two years in Venice. The Biennale includes various art forms such as architecture, dance, music, theater and visual arts. On September 9th the Golden Lion will be awarded for the best film. Was it really a Film Festival without stars?

Header image: A scene from the movie ‘The Night Porter’ (The Night Porter/17 U.S.C. § 107 “Fair Use”)