The Venice biennale is always an event that comprises films we know will make the screens in the following year. With this year's Editions coming to an end, we thought it would be time to do a recap on the festival's hot highlights.
Golden Lion Winner
Starting off with the Golden Lion Winner, Laura Poitras presents their newest film All the Beauty and the Bloodshed.
The documentary follows the story of the artist, photographer, and activist Nan Goldin while trying to hold the Slackers family accountable for the opioid crisis. The film was amazingly received in Venice, and critics say that it is one to look out for.
Silver Lion Winner
No less important, Saint Omer won the Silver Lion. This is Alice Diop’s fiction debut and promises to be such an impactful film.
“Saint-Omer court of law. Young novelist Rama attends the trial of Laurence Coly, a young woman accused of killing her 15-month-old daughter. As the trial continues, the words of the accused and witness testimonies will shake Rama’s convictions and call into question our own judgment ." (La Biennale Di Venezia 2022)
Silver Lion Winner – Best Director
Luca Guadagnino wins the silver lion for Best Director with Bones And All.
The film depicts Maren a young woman learning how to live on the margins of society meets Lee an intense and disenfranchised drifter. Together they will go for a thousand-mile odyssey. ( La Biennale Di Venezia 2022)
Receiving an eight-point five minutes standing ovation, Bones And All have been receiving a generally great reaction. Although, due to its grotesque style and figurative cannibalism, some have said not able to watch it.
With a great cast to bring this story to life (including Timothée Chalamet), Taylor Russell’s performance has been highly acclaimed, winning her the MARCELLO MASTROIANNI AWARD, for Best Young Actress.
Other Highly Awaited Films
Beyond all the films mentioned above, here are other highly awaited films that have been making noise in the public.
Blonde
Blonde the film that depicts Marylin Monroe's life, was one of the most anticipated films in this year's biennale.
With a 14min standing ovation, and an amazing performance by Ana de Armas, Blonde still created some controversy among the critics. Questions around the direction, and how Marilyn Monroe was depicted in this film were raised, leaving the audience wondering about Marylin’s agency and her life beyond her relationships.
Don't Worry Darling
Talking about controversy, Don’t Worry Darling was one of the most talked about films during this year's festivals. Independently of what was happening behind cameras and on the red carpet, Florence Pugh's performance was once again loved and praised. Some have even said, that from all of her performances this one must be one of the best.
The Whale
“A reclusive English teacher suffering from severe obesity attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption.” ( La Biennale Di Venezia 2022)
The whale is a film that came to stay. With an amazing performance from Brendan Fraser and the Strangers Things star Sadie Sink it is believed that this film will receive many awards, including a possible Oscar nomination. Even though it also received some ok critics, most of them were filled with great opinions and praise.
Films To Look Out For
The Eternal Daughter
The Eternal Daughter is another film from the british Director Joanna Hogg. After the success of Souvenier and Souvenier II Hoggs newest film is a must watch. Cointaining some horror elements we are taken on a melancholic journey, that Stars Tilda Swinton as both the mother and the daughter.
Blue Jean
Blue jean is the debut of the british Director Georgia Oakley. The film is set in the 1980's when Tatcher was prime minister and section 28 was installed. Touching on relevant issues like sexuality and identity, Blue Jean depicts the journey of a Queer teacher, through this politcal landscape.
While there is discussion around some elements in the film that could be more developed and/or answered, Oakley’s films has won the audience award at Giornate Degli Autori with outstanding reviews. It is widely accepted that this is a key film to add to our watchlist.
Wolf And Dog
Wolf and dog was the Giornate Degli Autori Directors winner. It is the fiction debut of the Portuguese Director Claudia Varejão and brings up questions of querness and gender expectations in those that are brought up in an Island setting. Even though, there are critiques around the film’s length (being too long) and the portrayl of characters emotions, its inovative style and freshness makes Claudia Varejão a director to look out for.
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