The 81st Venice International Film Festival has just started at the Lido with stars arriving in their droves.
After the 2023 edition that followed a Cannes Film Festival packed with stars from overseas, Venice had a setback due to the Hollywood strike that saw the red carpet of the Lido devoid of big names.
For the 2024 edition, the inaugural red carpet underwent an invasion of celebrities. Starting with the Jury led by Isabelle Huppert, who bravely wore a Balenciaga cape in the same red as the carpet, moving on to Sveva Alviti, who hosted the opening ceremony, followed by the Orizzonti Jury with Barbara Paz as a total black juror. The waits, shouts and selfies make an event come alive that would otherwise be limited only to insiders.
Returning to the red carpet, great expectations surrounded the “complete” cast (Willem Dafoe, Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega) of the opening film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, with the most glamorous couple of the moment: Tim Burton and Monica Bellucci. As everyone had hoped, there was no shortage of surprises: legend Patti Smith alongside queen of the red carpet Cate Blanchett (it was wonderful to see her exchange compliments!) and ballet king Roberto Bolle.
Last but by no means least, Sigourney Weaver was clearly moved to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
Roving arts reporter Andrea Paoletti sends in his photographs from the red carpet.
