Willem Dafoe Attends Venice Film Festival Pre-Opening Party

Willem Dafoe Attends Venice Film Festival Pre-Opening Party

Willem Dafoe, who stars in Tim Burton’s festival opener “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” made an appearance at the Venice Film Festival’s pre-opening party on Tuesday night. Joining him at the rooftop event at the Danieli Hotel were jury members Kleber Mendonça Filho (“Bacurau”) and Giuseppe Tornatore (“Cinema Paradiso”).

A Glamorous Gathering

The party, co-hosted by the Leone Film Group, Variety, and the Danieli Hotel, attracted a mix of stars and key figures from the global film industry. Among the guests were renowned Italian director Paolo Genovese, Los Angeles-based producer Niels Juul (“Ferrari”), and Brazilian actor and filmmaker Bárbara Paz. The gathering was a glamorous affair, set against the stunning backdrop of Venice.

Welcoming the Festival

From the rooftop with its panoramic view of the Venice Lagoon, Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera welcomed attendees with enthusiasm. “Here we go again!” he said, celebrating the start of another festival. Barbera acknowledged the excitement surrounding this year’s lineup, which is being hailed as one of the strongest in years. However, he remained humble, adding, “I’m not sure about that, though surely there are a lot of good things to see and a huge amount of talent. You will let me know at the end of the festival if you are satisfied or not.”

Highlighting Recent Successes

Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh praised Barbera’s leadership, noting the success of recent Golden Lion winners such as “Poor Things,” “Nomadland,” “Joker,” “Roma,” and “The Shape of Water.” “These are some of the biggest movies that have come out in recent years; under your vision, under your direction,” Setoodeh remarked, highlighting the impact of Barbera’s choices on the festival’s prestige.

Celebrating Leone Film Group’s Anniversary

The event also marked a significant milestone for the Leone Film Group, celebrating its 35th anniversary. Raffaella Leone, a prominent producer and distributor, took the opportunity to honor her father, the legendary filmmaker Sergio Leone. “Looking at the future with the same enthusiasm and passion, we have found someone who has the same vision,” she said, introducing the company’s new partner, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, an Italian entrepreneur and president of Ray-Ban.

Festivities and Fare

After the speeches, the party continued with music by Joe T Vannelli, who played energetic house beats. Guests enjoyed cocktails inspired by Chopin’s sonatas and sampled a variety of unique dishes, including shrimp gazpacho in coconut tempura and tandoori, creme fraiche and caviar tartlets, and an exotic soup with mango sorbet.

Festival Kicks Off with Burton’s Premiere

The Venice Film Festival officially begins today, featuring the world premiere of Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” The much-anticipated event promises to be the start of an exciting festival filled with talent, innovation, and cinematic magic.

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