The prestigious 81st Venice International Film Festival will take place from August 28 to September 7. This festival aims to celebrate and promote international cinema in all its forms—art, entertainment, and industry—within a spirit of freedom and dialogue. This edition promises a diverse and captivating lineup, from thought-provoking dramas to thrilling action films.

This year's selection not only celebrates the art of cinema but also honours the legacy of filmmakers and actors who have left an indelible mark on the industry. As we look forward to these premieres, the festival offers cinematic excellence through these films:

 

Egyptian Nominee:

El Bahs 3an Manfaz Le Khoroug El Sayed Rambo

Egyptian director Khaled Mansour's film El Bahs 3an Manfaz Le Khoroug El Sayed Rambo marks a significant moment for Egyptian cinema at the Venice Film Festival after a 12-year absence. The drama revolves around Hassan, a young man in his thirties who must confront his past fears to save his dog, Rambo, from an unknown fate after a serious accident. This film showcases a talented cast, including Essam Omar, Rakeen Saad, and Sama Ibrahim.

 

Notable International Films:

Joker: Folie à Deux

The highly anticipated Joker sequel is competing for the Golden Lion Award. Scheduled for an overseas theatrical release on October 2, the film sees Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the Joker, with Lady Gaga joining the cast as Harley Quinn. Following the infamous live television murder of Murray Franklin, Arthur Fleck is incarcerated in Arkham State Hospital, where he meets music therapist Lee. Their shared delusions lead to a musical madness, while Fleck's followers begin a movement to free him from Arkham.

 

The Room Next Door

Renowned Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar makes his English-language debut with The Room Next Door, starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore. The film explores the strained relationship between war correspondent Martha and her resentful daughter and Martha's complex relationship with author Ingrid.

 

The Brutalist

An international co-production from the United States, United Kingdom, and Hungary, it stars Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Joe Alwyn, among others. The film spans 30 years in the life of László Tóth, a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who survived the Holocaust. Post-World War II, László and his wife, Erzsébet, immigrated to the United States to chase the American dream. Their fortunes change when László lands a contract with a mysterious and wealthy client, Harrison Lee Van Buren.

 

The Order

The Order is an American crime thriller based on the 1989 non-fiction book The Silent Brotherhood. Starring Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett, and Marc Maron, the film follows an Idaho-based FBI agent in 1983 who uncovers a pattern in recent bank robberies and heists, leading him to a radical white supremacist group led by Robert Jay Mathews.

 

Maria

Maria, a biographical drama directed by Pablo Larraín, dives into the life of opera singer Maria Callas during her final years in 1970s Paris. Starring Angelina Jolie in the titular role, the film features Valeria Golino as her sister Yakinthi and Haluk Bilginer as Aristotle Onassis.

 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Tim Burton returns with a sequel to the 1988 classic Beetlejuice. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara reprise their roles, joined by newcomers Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe. The film sees the Deetz family returning to Winter River after Charles Deetz's unexpected death, leading to a series of supernatural events when Lydia's rebellious daughter, Astrid, discovers a portal to the afterlife.

 

Wolfs

Starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, Wolfs is an action comedy about two professional fixers hired for the same job. These lone wolves must navigate dangerous and chaotic events, forcing them to work together in a thrilling blend of action and humour.