An inside look: the 76th Venezia Film Festival

As a junior journalist, this year I had the opportunity to accomplish one of the greatest dreams of a movie lover, that is to say going to the Venice Film Festival with my first press pass. When the VFF staff had approved my request, I was fulfilled with excitement. Since I am a freelance (yeah, unfortunately entering a registered magazine is quite difficult), I had to organize all the trip on my own. So, this is, truly, a labour of love. The one and only love of my life, the cinema screen.

But, let's start with the beginning. The Venezia Film Festival, one of the competition organized by the  Biennale artistic org. (among these, the architecture exhibition and the art expo are the most well known), the VFF is located at the beautiful exclusive island of the Lido, in the Venice gulf. 

The entrance of the VFF, strictly under the security control, was just in front of the Lido's beautiful beaches, which every year attract thousands of tourist form all over the world because of its charm. 

The Mostra Internazionale del Cinema, every year presents the premiere of some expected movies: the 76th VFF was definitely the year of Joker - plus Ad Astra and the Laundromat. And I was lucky enough to attend the newest Joaquin Phoenix's movie red carpet (on 31th august at 6.30 pm). 

The  marvelous Cate Blanchett opened the Joker's red carpet: here is she, the Queen, in an asymetrical bob-rock hairstyle, embodying an enchanting black Armani Privè. And if you look carefully behind her left elbow, there I am, in a red dress. 

And, right after, the cast. After the director Todd Phillips, the probably contended of the Oscar statuette, Joaquin Phoenix. In this pic, he was probably glancing at her fiancée and actress Rooney Mara, in a beautiful Givenchy dress, as we can imagine from the border of this pic (taken by me). 

The public premiere aired in Sala Grande (the historical theatre of the VFF), at 7.15 pm. This picture is taken from the distinguished visitor's gallery, where hosts like Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara and the Italian star Michelle Hunziker set. The movie received 8 minutes of applauses ! 

Micol Sartori 

  

The Sister Brothers

The Sisters Brothers (2018) is a dark comedy- western directed by Jacques Audiard, starring Joaquin Phoenix, John C.Reilly (who is also a producer), Jake Gyllenhaal and Riz Ahmed. The movie was presented at the 2018 Venezia Film Festival and won the Silver Lion for best direction. 

1815, somewhere in west America, in the middle of the Golden Rush fever.The Sisters Brothers, Eli (Reilly) and Charlie (Phoenix) are two hit men hired by the Commodore (high raking military commander, who exercises a great power in that geographical aerea). Because the Commodore has many interests, both in America and outside the country, and, most of all, is a very rich and influential personality, he decides to send the brothers after the chemical expert Warm. Apparently, Warm has discovered a special formula to detect gold in the rivers and guess what? He becomes one of the most "wanted" man in the Country. In order to capture the chemical, the Commodore has hired also a writer, Morris (Gyllenhaal), in order to entertain and guide directly to the Sister brothers Warm. But a great chemistry came up between the two men, who share the same ideals in life, so the writer decides to give up his mission to join Warm's search for gold. After a series of adventures in which we discover the personality and tragical family history of both Eli and Charlie, the two cowboys finally found Warm and Morries. But instead of killing them, they begun to pursue the Golden Rush themselves. The ending is quite unpredictable, with an important come-back to the Sister's lost humanity.

Why this movie is worth watching:

• After American Hustle, the Sausage Party and, most of all, Phantom Tread, Anna Purna pictures has taken a step forward towards maturity. Next summer stay tuned for "Where'd go Bernardette" starring Cate Blanchett.
• Joaquin Phoenix is rising his career in an incredible way. The talented actor, after Her, You Were Never Really Here, Don't Worry and Mary Magdalene (where he played Jesus!), is delivering another intense performance. Phoenix is simply the perfect drunkard, badass, disordered but irresistible character, no matter if the film is historical or set in an imaginary world. Can't wait to see him in Joker ! 
  
  
  
• I loved the moments between the two brothers: even if they are both rough men, Eli has always an eye on his little brother. Interesting to watch also the transition from a cowboy era to the modern era, with the experience of both pleasures and pain. 
• Charlie's craziness in the Golden Rush fever moment of the four men, was the symbol of how blind we are when it comes to become a rich man. Translate this into history, and we arrive straight ahead to the Indians genocide (which is not mentioned in the movie).
• I enjoyed the fact that Eli and Charlie speak all the time about the Commodore, and project to the spectator his fearful presence. But in the final scene, this incumbent person, is just another avid old man. 

Negative aspects (of a blurred ending): 

• The void that comes after the Commodore's death. The commander was the last stronghold of the western-world or the Gold Rush will continue, besides the barge of modernity?
• What will the Sister Brothers do them? After returning to their childhood, another life is possible for them?

Ciak Movie Rating: 4/5. 

Micol Sartori 

DON'T WORRY movie exclusive review !

Produced by Amazon Studios, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018) is a bio-drama based inspired by the life of the cartoonist John Callahan.

The actor Robin Williams (1951-2014) knew John Callahan and, after the death of the artist, Williams decided to buy the right's of Callahan's autobiography. Williams' dream was to made out of it a nice on screen biography and to act as the main character. 

By the time Williams was working on Good Will Hunting with director Gus Van Sant, he introduced him to Callahan's book: “He wanted to create a screenplay to star in and that’s where it started. We developed a couple of screenplays and as time went by, Robin never got around to it,” Van Sant told The Hollywood Reporter at the film's premiere at the ArcLight Hollywood.

Then Callahan died at the age of 59 in 2010 and, in 2014 Williams died too. 

After William's death, Van Saint thought of finally accomplished the actor's dream. The credits of the movie, in fact, include a special thanks to Williams.

Van Saint enrolled the prized actor Joaquin Phoenix (1974 ) and the nominated actress Rooney Mara (1985).

CIAK MOVIES REVIEW.

Positive aspects of the movie:

• Joaquin Phoenix is an amazing actor. After winning the Best Actor prize at Cannes thanks to A beautiful day movie, Phoenix is proving again and again his amazing skills. And deserved the Joker role in the next Batman's series. In Don't worry he acts in a soft, equilibrate way, showing Callahan flaws as a drunker. 
• The dialogues between the characters.
• The costumes.

• The movements of the camera, that shifts fast from one face to another and is often out of focus.

Negative aspects:

• The movie is quite long and still, dialogues only with little music.
• Rooney Mara as Annu is only a frame. Van Gus should have dept more her role.

Ciak's vote: 3,5/5.

DON'T WORRY movie official site 

A beautiful day

A beautiful day (or You Were Never Really Here,2017) written and directed by Lynne Ramsay with Joaquin Phoenix.
Now out everywhere, the movie was presented in last years' Cannes and recognized with 2 awards, best screenplay and the Palm D'Or for Joaquin's interpretation.

Joe is a US veterain who currently lives with his mother and works as a mercenary. Joe is hired by an important senator to rescue his daughter Nina from a juvenile brothel. This adventure will take Joe to face his inners horrors, such as his childhood's memories and some episodes of the war. Meanwhile,  the man succeeded in save Nina, but the road to the girl's freedom is sprinkled with blood.

A beautiful day is an author's movie, with an original direction and an impeccable performance by J. Phoenix. A story that deals with childhood abuses and horrors that are, in majority, unspoken. Intense, thrilling...  worth watching.

Movie rating: 4/5

Micol Sartori