The Venice Film Festival 2023 shows no signs of slowing down for the strikes

The 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival promises to be a star-studded affair, featuring a compelling lineup of films from both acclaimed American filmmakers and talented international auteurs. The festival, which runs from August 30 to September 9, seems like a beacon of hope for the film industry, particularly in light of ongoing labor strikes in Hollywood that have disrupted many film productions.

Venice has a history of overcoming challenges, having been the only major film festival to host an in-person event during the pandemic in 2020 when Italy was hit hard by COVID-19.

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The Venice Film Festival is undeterred by the ongoing strikes in the US film industry, displaying its resilience and commitment to celebrating cinema from all around the world. Despite the loss of Luca Guadagnino's Challengers from the opening night due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the festival lineup is still brimming with a diverse selection of films that will undoubtedly captivate audiences.

READ MORE: Why the actors and writers strike is a nightmare for Hollywood

The competition section boasts an impressive array of films, including several eagerly anticipated works from renowned American directors including:

• Bradley Cooper's Maestro explores the life of Leonard Bernstein, with Cooper directing and starring in the biopic. 
• David Fincher's The Killer, starring Michael Fassbender as a cold-blooded assassin grappling with his conscience. 
• Ava DuVernay presents Origin, inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson's book Caste, delving into the system of hierarchy shaping America. 
• Meanwhile, Sofia Coppola's Priscilla tells the story based on Priscilla Presley's memoir Elvis and Me. 
• Michael Mann's Ferrari centers on the racing legend Enzo Ferrari, with Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz in the lead roles. 
• Mexican director Michel Franco brings Memory, starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, while 
• Yorgos Lanthimos presents the surrealist science-fiction romance Poor Things, with Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo in the lead roles.

These filmmakers are joined by a plethora of international auteurs presenting their latest creations, ensuring a diverse and exciting selection for the jury and audiences alike.

Though Hollywood might be experiencing disruptions due to labor strikes, Venice has still managed to attract the attention of longtime aficionado, Netflix, which is launching three titles in competition. Alongside Fincher's The Killer and Cooper's Maestro, the streaming giant presents Pablo Larrain's allegorical El Conde, portraying dictator Augusto Pinochet as a vampire, with Chilean star Alfredo Castro leading the cast.

The robust lineup of Italian films further reinforces the festival's significance in promoting local cinema, even with the absence of Guadagnino’s Challengers. The Italian contingent shines bright with several notable entries including 

• The fest's opener, Comandante - an ambitious anti-war epic starring Pierfrancesco Favino as a heroic Sicilian naval officer during World War II. 
• Matteo Garrone's Io Capitano follows two young African men on a journey to reach Europe, while 
• Saverio Costanzo's Finalmente L'alba is set at Cinecittà during the 1950s. 
• Giorgio Diritti presents Lubo, a World War II drama, while 
• Pietro Castellito's Enea and Stefano Sollima's Adagio round out Italy's contenders.

France contributed to several compelling films, including previously MeToo cleared Luc Besson's Dogman, starring Caleb Landry Jones, and Bertrand Bonello's sci-fi romance The Beast, featuring Léa Seydoux and George MacKay. Stéphane Brizé's romantic drama Out of Season also vies for the prestigious Golden Lion.

The competition section also features two notable entries from Poland. Agnieszka Holland's The Green Border delves into the humanitarian crisis triggered by Belarusian President Lukaschenko, while Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert present Kobieta Z, a thought-provoking drama.

• Outside of the competition, the festival includes Wes Anderson's 39-minute comedy short The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, a Netflix original. 
• For reasons only privy to the Italians, a new Woody Allen romantic thriller, Coup De Chance, will also be screened at Venice this year.

Harmony Korine's Aggro Dr1ft, starring Jordi Molla and rapper Travis Scott, and Richard Linklater's Hit Man also debut in an out-of-competition berth.

The timing of Aggro Dr1ft's premiere at the Venice Film Festival coincides with the release of Travis Scott's Utopia album. The connection between the film and the album remains uncertain, leaving fans intrigued about the potential ties and thematic elements shared between the two projects.

With Scott's influence in the music industry and A24's reputation for producing groundbreaking and innovative films, Aggro Dr1ft is likely to be one of the most talked-about entries at the festival. 

The festival's panel of judges, led by jury president Damien Chazelle, comprises a prestigious lineup of industry professionals. With luminaries like Jane Campion, Mia Hansen-Løve, Laura Poitras, and Martin McDonagh, among others, the festival's recognition and credibility in the global film community are reaffirmed.

The festival's 80th edition stands as a testament to the industry's resilience and passion for storytelling. With its robust lineup, international appeal, and historical significance, the festival continues to thrive, proving that cinema persists, through hell and high water. 

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