Venice Film Festival opens Sept. 2

The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened on Wednesday, September 2, on the Venice Lido with the world premiere of Danny Boyle’s competition film “Ink” after the opening ceremony, festival organizer La Biennale di Venezia said. The festival runs through September 12 and marks the start of the fall festival corridor that studios and distributors use to launch awards campaigns. (labiennale.org) George Clooney was also honored on opening day with a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, according to La Biennale. At the opening jury press conference, jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal said films are “unavoidably political” when asked about cinema and politics. (labiennale.org 1) (labiennale.org 2) ### Why did Danny Boyle’s “Ink” open the festival? La Biennale said “Ink” was selected as the opening-night film of Venezia 83 and screened in the Sala Grande at the Palazzo del Cinema after the September 2 ceremony. Boyle said in the festival announcement that opening Venice with the film was “a huge honour.” The festival’s official page lists “Ink” in the main competition and describes it as a 116-minute U.K. production starring Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy. La Biennale’s synopsis says the film follows “a group of visionaries and misfits” trying to build a new kind of news outlet. (labiennale.org) ### What did George Clooney receive on opening day? La Biennale said George Clooney was awarded the first Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of this year’s festival during the opening ceremony on September 2. The festival said the decision was made by its board on the recommendation of artistic director Alberto Barbera. (labiennale.org) Alberto Barbera said in the festival announcement that Clooney had reached “the highest level of success” as an actor while also establishing himself as a director, writer and producer. La Biennale’s notice cited films including “Jay Kelly,” “Syriana” and “Good Night and Good Luck” in describing his career. (static.labiennale.org) ### What did Maggie Gyllenhaal say about politics and film? Maggie Gyllenhaal said at the jury press conference that films are “unavoidably political,” according to reports from the event on September 2. Variety reported that the discussion came amid questions shaped by the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and unrest in the United States. (labiennale.org) The Hollywood Reporter said Gyllenhaal also addressed the lack of women directors in competition, calling it “a systemic problem.” Those remarks came as she appeared with the rest of the Golden Lion jury before screenings began. (labiennale.org) ### How long does Venice run, and where is it centered? La Biennale said the 83rd edition runs from September 2 to September 12 on the Venice Lido. NBC’s festival explainer said the event is centered on the barrier island rather than the main historic center of Venice, with screenings and red carpets based around the Palazzo del Cinema. (variety.com) The official selection page says the festival includes the Venezia 83 competition along with sidebars and parallel sections across the 11-day event. Awards are scheduled for September 12, when the Golden Lion and other prizes are due to be handed out. ### What comes next at the festival? (hollywoodreporter.com) September 12 is the next fixed milestone for the festival, with the main awards ceremony set for the closing day, according to La Biennale and festival coverage. Maggie Gyllenhaal and her jury will preside over the competition verdict, while screenings continue on the Lido through the final weekend. (labiennale.org)