Festivals

Julia opens to the raucous, back-and-forth guitar licks of Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire” — a decidedly unanticipated and seemingly outside-the-box choice for co-directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West’s genial nonfiction assaying of author and celebrity chef Julia Child, which otherwise trades largely in traditional rhythms, and unfolds in expected ways. But then again, maybe, given its lyrical evocation of “only one burning desire,” it appropriately captures the singular passion of its subject.

Justine Bateman, former child star of 80s sitcom Family Ties, makes her feature film directorial debut with the thought-provoking drama, Violet, at the Toronto Film Festival. The success of the film rests on the shoulders of Olivia Munn, playing a successful Hollywood executive, Violet, who battles multiple insecurities exacerbated by the voice in her head (otherwise known as ‘the committee’) voiced by Justin Theroux, who takes her to task at every opportunity.

Leaving Venice, the morning after the Awards Ceremony, I could see from the international headlines that the awards given out by the diverse Jury of this 78th Venice Film festival, made cinema lovers, happy and content. If the selection of the films and documentaries, assembled by artistic director Alberto Barbera was excellent, the awards did not disappoint.

Jamie Lee Curtis brought a dash of horror and Hollywood history to the 78th Venice International Film Festival. Not only did the two-time Golden Globe winner bring the latest installment of the Halloween film franchise to the Lido – with the David Gordon Green-directed Halloween Kills – but the actress, writer, producer and director was also in town to receive the Film’s Festival’s prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

Kristen Stewart had a lesson in royalty in order to tackle the iconic role of Princess Diana in the movie Spencer, which received its world premiere at the 78th Venice Film Festival. “We had royal advisors,” explained the Seberg actress at the movie’s official press conference on the Lido.

When the end credits started to roll after the first press screening of Dune at the Venice Film Festival, enthusiastic applause filled the Sala Grande screening theater. Director Denis Villeneuve’s bold adaptation of Frank Herbert’s iconic science fiction novel divides the 412-page book into two sections, with Dune: Part One (the movie’s full moniker) introducing audiences to the dangerous desert planet of Arrakis, colossal sandworms and a young heir named Paul Atreides (played by Golden Globe-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet).