Tom Ford’s ‘Nocturnal Animals,’ Villeneuve’s ‘Arrival,’ new Kusturica Headed for Venice
With one week to go before the 73rd Venice Film Festival reveals its lineup, two U.S. titles with awards buzz — Tom Ford-directed thriller “Nocturnal Animals” and Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi pic “Arrival” — are virtually assured a Lido launch.
Another hot U.S. title, Antoine Fuqua’s Western “The Magnificent Seven,” could also be headed to the fest, but is more uncertain.
And though festival artistic director Alberto Barbera is still making last-minute decisions, new features from prominent European auteurs Emir Kusturica (“On The Milky Road”) and Wim Wenders (“The Beautiful Days of Aranjuez”) are also very likely to be among the contenders vying for a Golden Lion, as is the latest work from French director Stephane Brize (“Une Vie”).
Word on what pics will surface on the Lido is particularly muted this year, indicating the usual uncertainty about titles being ready and Barbera’s down-to-the-wire decision-making.
Ford’s “Nocturnal Animals,” which is set in the L.A. art scene and the Texas criminal underworld, is the second film directed by the fashion designer. Two years ago at Cannes, Ford pre-sold world rights to the thriller, which stars Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal, to Focus Features in a standout $20-million deal.
Adams will likely be doing double duty on the Venice red carpet.
Villeneuve’s “Arrival,” previously titled “Story of Your Life,” stars Adams as a linguistics expert recruited by the United States government after an alien spacecraft lands on Earth.
The fest’s announced opener, Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land,” a tribute to the Golden Age of American musicals which stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. “La La Land” will world-premiere in competition Aug. 31.
The Venice fest will run from Aug. 31 to Sept. 10. The lineup will be announced July 28.
(Variety)