Venice Unveils Opening Films for Orizzonti Sections

By Pickle  August 13, 2024

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Venice Film Festival Announces Opening Films for Orizzonti and Orizzonti Extra Sections

The 81st Venice International Film Festival, set to take place from August 28 to September 7, 2024, has finalized the opening films for its prestigious Orizzonti and Orizzonti Extra competition sections. Under the direction of Alberto Barbera, the festival will kick off with Nonostante by Valerio Mastandrea and September 5 by Tim Fehlbaum.

Nonostante will inaugurate the Orizzonti competition section on August 28 at Sala Darsena. This marks Valerio Mastandrea’s second directorial endeavor following his acclaimed debut, Ride (2018). Reflecting on his film being chosen to open the festival, Mastandrea stated, “Opening the Festival means opening the film to the eyes and hearts of the public. I take it as an opportunity to release a story that has been mine alone for a long time and which, I hope, will become everyone’s.”

The film features a talented cast including Dolores Fonzi, Lino Musella, Giorgio Montanini, Justin Alexandre Korovkin, Barbara Ronchi, Luca Lionello, and Laura Morante. Produced by Viola Prestieri and Valeria Golino for HT Film, Francesco Tatò and Oscar Glioti for Damocle, and Moreno Zani and Malcom Pagani for Tenderstories with Rai Cinema, the Italian distribution is handled by BiM Distribuzione, with an original score composed by Tóti Gudnason.

Nonostante tells the story of a man who finds solace in his prolonged stay in a hospital, free from the worries and responsibilities of the outside world. His tranquil existence is disrupted by the arrival of a new, defiant patient who challenges the status quo and forces him to confront his emotions and sense of freedom.

Valerio Mastandrea, born in Rome in 1972, is a renowned director, actor, and producer, having worked with prominent Italian filmmakers like Marco Bellocchio and Ettore Scola. His debut film, Ride, was well-received and earned him numerous accolades, including a Nastro d’Argento for best debut film.

The Orizzonti Extra competition section will open on August 29 at Sala Giardino with September 5, directed by Tim Fehlbaum. Starring Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, and Leonie Benesch, this German production is set against the backdrop of the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. The film explores the pivotal moment when an American sports broadcasting team transitioned to live coverage of the hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes. As they navigate the intense situation, the story delves into the moral dilemmas faced by a young producer, Geoff, and his team.

Produced by BerghausWöbke Film production and Projected Picture Works, in co-production with Constantin Film and ERF Edgar Reitz Film production, September 5 was shot in Munich and is represented by Republic Pictures for worldwide sales, excluding GSA. The film was co-written by Moritz Binder and Tim Fehlbaum, with producers Philipp Trauer, Thomas Wöbke, Tim Fehlbaum, Sean Penn, John Ira Palmer, and John Wildermuth. The 81st Venice International Film Festival promises to commence with compelling narratives and outstanding cinematic artistry, setting the stage for an exciting showcase of global film talent.