The Venice International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It takes place annually on the Lido, an island in the Venetian Lagoon. The festival is known for its competitive nature, with a strong focus on independent and art-house cinema
Notably, Saudi Arabia took centre stage at this year’s 81st Venice Film Festival, with films funded by the Red Sea Film Foundation winning a clutch of awards.
The festival takes place on the sybaritic island of the Lido, the hub of which is the glamorous, star-studded Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido. This year I sealed the financing for my new film, A Sip of Irish, at the Excelsior’s wonderful Adriatico restaurant.
While Pedro Almodovar’s euthanasia themed The Room Next Door starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore deservedly won the coveted Golden Lion, there were six Arab films backed by the Red Sea Film Foundation showcasing at the festival.
Trend Setters: Arab and Saudi Cinema Shines Bright
With six Arab films being showcased at the 81st Venice Film Festival, and the growing appetite in the industry for Saudi productions, it is no surprise that many were both impressed and intrigued by the growth of film in the Kingdom, and the wider Middle East. Chair of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Jomana Al-Rashid told Variety that the “the trajectory of this progression has been truly phenomenal. We did not expect it to go at such a rapid pace.”
The Saudi-supported films showing at the internationally renowned film festival, included drama Aïcha, directed by Tunisian Mehdi M. Barsaoui, which follows the story of a woman who flees from her small-town life after miraculously surviving a bus crash. In 2021, this production won Red Sea Souk development prize at the Red Sea Film Festival.
Other films showcased at the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival, in collaboration with Red Sea Film were Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo by Egyptian director and screenwriter Khaled Mansour, Sudan, the world premiere of Remember Us by Hind El Meddeb, and Xiaoxuan Jiang's debut feature To Kill a Mongolian Horse. The screening of these films embolden the Foundation's unwavering commitment to fostering creativity and empowering storytellers in the Kingdom, Arab world, Africa, and Asia.
The Saudi backed Aisha Can’t Fly Away won the La Biennale di Venezia Prize at Final Cut. The now award-winning film centres on a Somali woman caring for her elderly parents in Cairo who witnesses the tensions between the city’s different ethnic groups. Three other Saudi co-produced projects - In This Darkness I See You, My Father’s Scent and Ancestral Visions of the Future - also won prizes.
Close to the Lido, the glamorous annual AmfAR party took place at the Aeroporto Nicelli, the oldest commercial airport in Italy. Yet another star-studded event, the AmfAR soiree was attended by the likes of Antonio Banderas, Kate Beckinsale and Richard Gere. Again, Saudi and Red Sea Film Saudi shone in the limelight when Eva Longoria presented the coveted Philanthropic Leadership Award to uber-producer Mohammed Al Turki.
The Hot Spot: San Clemente Palace Kempinski
Seen across social media, VIP AmfAR Guests were whisked in water taxis to the afterparty which took place at the remarkable San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice.
The destination hotel is situated on its own island in a stunning setting of 17 acres of lush gardens with arguably the best swimming pool in Venice. In 2018, the sumptuous San Clemente Suite was voted the Best Hotel Suite in Europe by the World Travel Awards, and has long been hosting celebrities and high profile visitors alike. This year there were whispers that the top Hollywood studios were vying with each other to have the likes of Cate Blanchett and Lady Gaga stay there. Its evocatively named spa, The Merchant of Venice, is an A-Lister favourite.
The San Clemente is an ultra-indulgent, family-friendly hotel that has a breathtaking sunset terrace, an open-air cinema and its divine Acquerello terrace restaurant has a spectacular view of San Marco. Nothing is too much trouble for its wonderful concierge team, The Ladies in Red.
The Newcomer: Georgina Rodriguez
Saudi Arabian resident, mother and model, Georgina Rodriguez (wearing Oscar de la Renta) was presented with the Diva E Donna Woman of the Year Award. Acknowledged and celebrated for her Saudi-set Netflix series “Soy Georgina" or "I am Georgina," the elegant affair took place at the Antinoo's Lounge and Restaurant at the Sina Palace Centurion Hotel.
The Head Turner: Lady Gaga
The Venice Film Festival saw the world premiere of Joker: Folie a Deux take to the screens. The musical psychological thriller stars the multi-faceted Lady Gaga and iconic Joaquin Phoenix. A film from Todd Philips, the Joker: Folie a Deux was undoubtedly the festival’s hottest ticket - but left divided critics.
Despite the Joker premiere was not Lady Gaga's first foray into film or on the red carpet, the multi-hyphenate singer-producer-actor, turned heads. All fashionistas’ eyes were on Gaga’s custom Dior number adorned with a vintage Philip Treacy headpiece and what appeared to be an engagement ring on her finger.
The Close Contenders: Nicole Kidman & Angelina Jolie
As many might know, Venice has an unmatched operatic tradition embodied by the historic La Fenice Opera house.
So, it was fitting that the city hosted the world premiere of Pablo Larrain’s Maria about the tragic opera singer Maria Callas, played by Angelina Jolie in what I would consider, a career-best performance. But it was Nicole Kidman who won Best Actress for the steamy Babygirl. Directed by the award-winning Halina Reijn, Kidman plays a high-flying CEO who has an affair with a much younger company intern.
Kidman wore a bejewelled Schiaparelli couture gown, and make-up artist Gucci Westman created her captivating fresh make-up look for the occasion.
The Glamorous Sponsors: Armani Beauty & Cartier
Unsurprisingly, the film festival attracts deep-pocketed sponsors, and this year was no different with Armani Beauty and Cartier adding to the glitz and glamour of the occasion, as Main Sponsors.
Synonymous with sophistication, Cartier lent twenty priceless pieces of jewellery for the production of Angelina Jolie's Maria including the elegant Panthere brooch that actress then wore for the red carpet.
Throughout the festival it was said that Cartier flew in so many stars that they booked out an entire hotel - the marvellous Monaco & Grand Canal Hotel, owned by the Benetton family - no less. Another festival hotspot was the Nolinski’s Palais Royal Restaurant in a splendid room that is like a stage set for a performance of a magnificent gastronomic opera.
The Scene Stealer: Amal Clooney
Mega star power arrived on the Lido with Wolfs starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney, an action comedy where two lone-wolf fixers are forced to work together after they are unwittingly hired for the same assignment.
But, it was Amal Clooney who stole the show wearing a corseted atelier Versace gown with a ruffled train. Rather aptly, the post-premiere dinner was held at the Aman Venice’s delightful Arva restaurant, which is also where the Clooneys famously held their wedding reception in 2014.
Over the years Golden Lion winners such as Gravity and Joker have gone on to experience Oscar-winning glory. The Room Next Door is now a strong contender for the coveted golden statuette, but I anticipate it won’t be long before a Saudi film or production will be nominated for the internationally renowned Hollywood nod.
As Jomana Al-Rashid said: “It’s incredible that now, for the very first time, Saudi films get to travel. But we don’t want it to be one Saudi film per year, we want it to be at least 10 films per year.”
Watch this space.
Dr. Frank Mannion is a film director and academic whose new film, Oxbridge, is currently in production.
