Venice Diary #01 - Tár, White Noise, and Princess

by Elisa Giudici

Hello readers! It's Venice time again. As with previous festivals, I'll be reviewing the movies with some festival experience details on the side. I screened three and a half movies (we'll get to the half at the end) in the first Day of the Mostra. Both the official opening night film White Noise and Princess in the Orizzonti section were a bit disappointing though both are far from failures. On the bright side, Cate Blanchett really delivers in Tár.

But first something a little spooky as Venice starts off on the wrong foot. This year Sala Darsena (the main screening room for press and industry) appears to be …cursed? During the screening of White Noise a bat (a real, actual bat!) flew in front of the screen...

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Venice Gowns '22, Round 1

by Nathaniel R

Raffey Cassidy, Jury President Julianne Moore, Tessa Thompson, Greta & Noah

Golden Lion winner Deneuve, Jodie Turner-Smith, Cassidy again, Don Cheadle, and HIllary Clinton?

Who was best dressed on the opening night of Venezia 79? It's your choice. Just make one. Vote as often as you'd like.

online polls

Venice at Home - Day 1: Noah Baumbach

by Cláudio Alves

Last year, The Film Experience welcomed a new series – Cannes at Home. While works by the world's greatest auteurs premiered at the Croisette, the project was an aid to combat FOMO for those not fortunate enough to attend the event. Now, it's time to introduce a new endeavor focused on the Venice Film Festival and its official selection. From August 31st to September 10th, this series will consider past works from the many filmmakers currently presenting their films in competition, offering a parallel program you can enjoy at home. At the same time, Elisa Giudici will be in Venice, updating us on the festivities.

First up, there's the opening film – White Noise. While we wait for Noah Baumbach's latest to arrive, let's recall the director's history…

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Emmy Category Analysis: Supporting Actor in a Limited Series

By Nathaniel R

While Abe and Chris have done a fine job staying objective in their analysis, I must confess upfront that this particular category has me too emotionally invested. In doing so, it's causing anxiety! The future winner, very deserving, feels clear. And yet, is this wishful thinking? There's no precursors to look to assuage the fears that we're making up the "frontrunner" business in our heads. Unlike the Oscars which are preceded by countless precursors aimed (unfortunately) at predicting or influencing the outcome) the Emmys come to us mostly fresh each year... apart from repeating themselves (though that is rarely a problem in the limited series category. Before we get to the punditry and the reason for the anxiety let's recap the nominees... 

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Panama will send "Birthday Boy" to the Oscars

by Nathaniel R

Panama is fairly new to the Oscar game. They've been submitting since 2014 and last year they got close to a nomination for the first time with a finalist spot for Abner Benaim's Plaza Catedral. This year they're submitting Cumpleañero (or Birthday Boy) starring Albi De Abreu. While we don't yet know what it's about (though those of you who know Spanish can see the trailer here) the Spanish-language poster (to the right) is very intriguing with its upside down solo figure in the waves above group joy and it's tagline "Suffering is not an option." This is the second submission for Panama from director Arturo Montenegro after the trans drama Everybody Changes (2019). He's now tied with Abner Benaim as the most often submitted Panamanian director.

Oscar predictions and submission charts here