79th Venice Film Festival

There was certainly one performance that created major awards buzz on the weekend, and it was Brendan Fraser's in Darren Aronofsky's The Whale. The film premiered to a long standing ovation, unlike Paul Schrader's Master Gardener which got a mixed reception despite stellar acting by Sigourney Weaver, Joel Edgerton and newcomer Quintessa Swindell.

Lars von Trier is one of the most celebrated filmmakers of Denmark, best known for his provocative stylistic cinematic experiments, and headlong dives into controversial subject matter. In his home country, Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, and Dogville director has received seven Bodil Awards (given by Danish critics) and 15 Robert Awards (the top Danish industry prize).

On September 1st, the Venice Film Festival welcomed a new Todd Field film into the world. Field is often referred to as ‘an actor’s director,’ and after a fifteen-year hiatus, the cinema world was eager to see Tár, which he specifically wrote for Cate Blanchett, one of the most talented actresses working today.

Renowned American documentarian Frederick Wiseman has a long and rich relationship with the Venice Film Festival. Over the course of his career he has had numerous movies debut at the Venice Biennale, and in 2014 he was the recipient of the festival’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

Italian director Luca Guadagnino is becoming a Venice Film Festival darling, returning to the festival after Suspiria (2018), with a film that festival director Alberto Barbera is calling his best so far, Bones and All with Timothée Chalamet. It is driving the young fans crazy and attracting the biggest crowds so far.

We celebrated the residents’ program with four new filmmakers on the terrace of the Excelsior Hotel and the stars turned up, too: Patricia Clarkson, Trace Lysette, director Romain Gavras and even Shia LaBeouf all stopped by, enjoyed some Bellini’s and talked about their projects. Even festival director Alberto Barbera welcomed us back and congratulated the residents.

The backless red designer jumpsuit. The myth of Chalamet, Timothée drove fans crazy and critics mad.

The fact that this is the first post-Better Call Saul project for Bob Odenkirk makes Cecilia Miniucchi's Worlds Apart a must-see. The film premiered on September 1 at the Venice Film Festival in the “Giornate degli Autori” section.

Above: Quintessa Swindell promoted Master Gardener at the Venice Film Festival. Fashion's style trend of coffee, a choice at the Miu Miu short  Women's Tales.

Timothée Chalamet ruled the red carpet in a red backless jumpsuit by Haider Ackerman. Known for portraying quirky characters and being unpredictable on the red carpet.