23 films compete this year for the Golden Lion in Venice, which is awarded on Saturday. There is no clear favourite. Which competition entries are being discussed.
A story about the chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, a coming-of-age film about cannibals or a drama about a murder trial? The Golden Lion will be awarded at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday evening. Some works are in the favor of the critics, but there is no clear favorite.
The drama “Tár” by director Todd Field received a lot of positive feedback. Cate Blanchett is the protagonist of this film about the fictional principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, Lydia Tár. She has achieved everything a conductor can achieve. In order to hold her own in the patriarchal world of classical music, she has developed a brittle uncompromising attitude. But then her life gets out of hand because of allegations of abuse.
Blanchett excels in the role of a woman who tends to appear cool. Unless she spends time with the daughter of her partner Sharon (Nina Hoss) – or stands at the conductor’s desk.
Love among cannibals
The drama “Bones and All” by Luca Guadagnino with Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet was also well received. The film tells the story of two outsiders who find a kind of home in their love for each other. But even though the two are cannibals, Guadagnino manages to turn “Bones and All” into a sensitive love story – although there are some explicit cannibalism scenes.
The competition film “The Banshees of Inisherin” by Martin McDonagh probably had the most laughs. Colin Farrell plays Pádraic, an Irishman whose best friend to date, Colm (Brendan Gleeson), suddenly and without reason decides to end their friendship in this black comedy. Completely irritated, Pádraic tries to rekindle the friendship and does not accept his former friend’s no. He then takes drastic measures. A film with very individual characters and full of amusing dialogues.
Much applause for “Blonde”
Another popular success was the film “Blonde”. Director Andrew Dominik has turned the biography of Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe into a feverish almost three-hour film that received a round of applause at its premiere on Thursday evening. The focus is on leading actress Ana de Armas, who brings to life the many traumas that Monroe had to experience.
Iranian filmmaker Vahid Jalilvand also received attention for his thriller “Beyond The Wall”. The film takes place almost entirely in the apartment of the almost blind Ali (Navid Mohammadzadeh). He learns from the porter that the police are looking for a fleeing woman (Diana Habibi) who is supposed to be hiding in the house. After a short time, he realizes that she is staying at his apartment and Ali decides to help her. Imaginations and illusions play an important role in this intense film.
Critics liked “Saint Omer”
The artistic drama “Saint Omer” was popular among critics. In it, director Alice Diop tells the story of Rama (Kayije Kagame), a lecturer and writer who follows a trial against a young woman who is said to have killed her baby. Rama wants to turn it into a book project. But the trial against the Senegalese-French defendant is giving Rama emotional problems. Memories of the complicated relationship with her own mother shake her.
“Saint Omer” is an emotional drama about motherhood and racism. Diop would be only the seventh woman to win the Golden Lion since 1949. (dpa)