On Wednesday 1 September, the 78th Venice Film Festival opens and runs until 11 September.

In 2020, the show became one of the few major events that were not canceled or completely converted to a virtual format due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The festival is gradually returning to its usual scale: for the main competition, as in 2019, 21 paintings were again selected (versus 18 at last year's show).

The opening film was Parallel Mothers by Pedro Almodovar.

The film tells the story of two single women who meet in a hospital on the eve of their birth.

The main roles in the film were played by Penelope Cruz and Milena Smith.

On September 11, the show will end with a screening of Roberto Ando's "The Hidden Child", co-produced by Italy and France.

The action takes place in the apartment of a professor at the Naples Conservatory, in which, without asking the owner's permission and without explaining the reasons, the boy Ciro (as it turns out later, is the son of a bandit).

The director in his work explores what it is like to love and be loved.

Other notable premieres of the festival include Dune by Denis Villeneuve, The Last Duel by Ridley Scott and Spencer by Pablo Larrain.

  • Shot from the movie "Mom, I'm at home"

  • © kino-teatr.ru

Russian directors will bring three art pictures to Venice.

These are "Captain Volkonogov escaped" by Natasha Merkulova and Alexei Chupov (in the main competition), "Mom, I'm at home" by Vladimir Bitokov (in the new section "Horizons Extra") and "Bypass routes" by Ekaterina Selenkina (parallel program for debutants "Week of Criticism" ).

The central roles in the first two films are played by Yura Borisov.

The head of Roskino, Evgenia Markova, in an interview with RT, shared her vision of the prospects for these films at the festival, and also said that participation in the show means for the films and their creators.

“It's always difficult to make predictions, but I can say that both Captain Volkonogov escaped and Mom, I'm at home are very strong, bright works that, I hope, will be appreciated by the festival jury ... Since festival participation influences the fate of a particular project, this undoubtedly helps the film to be successfully sold in all types of foreign markets, both for theatrical distribution and for online platforms and TV channels. Feedback from our foreign partners - buyers buying Russian content - indicates that a good festival history is one of the key factors that influences the decision to buy a particular film for distribution abroad, ”Markova noted.

Also at the show in Venice will be shown a Russian-made documentary. Nastya Korkia's film "GES-2" was announced in the special screenings section. At the Venice Gap-Financing Market, which will be held from September 3 to 5 and will be dedicated to co-production, viewers will be able to see an interactive VR project by Russian directors Georgy Molodtsov and Denis Semyonov called Knight of The Wailing Stars.

“The festival works draw attention to Russian cinema in general. Our projects at the Venice Festival are presented in different programs ... This has a very good effect both on the reputation of Russian content in the eyes of foreign colleagues (buyers, producers), and on the perception of the end viewer. Of course, any project entry into the festival helps to make the entire team of the film, including directors, actors, producers, more recognizable on the world market, "- emphasized Evgenia Markova.

In addition, Russian producer Rafael Minasbekyan took part in the production of the film "Atlantis" by Italian director Yuri Ankarani. “The film is a wonderful combination of contemporary contemporary meanings and pure fine art. The video canvas, created by Ankarani the artist, mesmerizes and immerses you in the incredible world of Atlantis, which is on the verge of reality, ”says the filmmaker. Minasbekyan hopes that the film about Venetian teenagers who are fond of racing on motor boats will find a response from the Russian audience.

Also, Russian cinema will become a key topic of events at the Venice Production Bridge industrial site. The Roskino company, with the support of the Cinema Fund and the Ministry of Culture of Russia, together with the National Association for the Film Industry and Related Industries ANICA, are implementing the Focus on Russia initiative. Within its framework, panel discussions and meetings with the participation of Russian and Italian filmmakers and other industry representatives will take place.

“There is no systemic dialogue between the Italian and Russian industries, and since Russia is starting to sound like a thunder abroad and is perceived as a serious player, it is important for us how to talk about our capabilities inside the country - the production capacities of film companies, filming locations, state support tools, our talents, - so and to introduce industry representatives to each other, because any joint projects arise after personal interaction.

At the same time, personal acquaintance is very important both at the level of producers and at the level of state organizations, ”said the head of Roskino.

She expressed hope that within the framework of the events it will be possible to "identify concrete steps to develop the partnership."

  • Roberto Benigni

  • AFP

  • © John Macdougal

Within the framework of the festival, it is planned to present two honorary awards.

The Golden Lion for his contribution to world cinema will be awarded to the Italian director, screenwriter and actor, two-time Oscar winner Roberto Benigni.

He will receive the statuette on September 1st.

Festival director Alberto Barbera named Benigni an exemplary artist and highlighted his comic talent, shown in collaboration with iconic directors.

On September 8, the prize will be awarded to the American actress, producer and director, winner of two Golden Globes, Jamie Lee Curtis.

The artist admitted that she did not expect to stay in the profession long enough for such a recognition.

Barbera recalled that in the filmography of Jamie Lee Curtis, you can find pictures of almost all genres.

In his opinion, the actress combines the best qualities of not only American, but world artists.