Venice Film Festival 2013

Venice Film Festival 2013: Films worth looking out for

Venice Film Festival 2013: Films worth looking out for

The world’s oldest film festival, reaching its 70th edition this year, is officially in swing with George Clooney and Sandra Bullock appearing on the red carpet to launch the new sci-fi film Gravity. A “techno-thriller” by Alfonso Cuaron tells the story of two astronauts who attempt to survive a damaged space shuttle. From the Orizzonti (or New Trend) section, Palo Alto by Gia Coppola (Sofia Coppola’s niece) follows four college freshmen on a thanksgiving break as they re-discover the charm of their hometown.

However the four films to watch out for from the Venice Film Festival official competition are:

The Zero Theorem – Terry Gilliam

The Zero Theorem is a philosophic-dystopia flick, starring Matt Damon and Christoph Waltz, about a computer hacker trying to discover the nature of human existence. This endeavour is hampered by the dark bureaucratic organisation ‘the management’ who send a teenager and a salacious love interest to distract him.
 
Night Moves – Kelly Reichardt
 
Night Moves is a feature from indie director Kelly Reichardt following the fortunes of three environmental activists who plan to blow up a damn. Reichardt’s previous features have been noted for their minimalism, but this latest film is billed a thriller which might make for an intriguing blend.

Parkland – Peter Landesman

Another thriller covering more worn territory is Parkland by Peter Landesman. This surveys the Kennedy assassination from the oblique perspective of the Parkland hospital where JFK was treated following the attack, and might offer a fresh take on a familiar topic.
 

Philomena – Stephen Frears

On the other side of things, Stephen Frears’ Philomena has Steve Coogan opposite Judi Dench in an unlikely friendship tale.

Based on a true story, Coogan is a BBC journalist who tenderly lends an arm to escort endearingly provincial Dench through the mystery of the child she was forced to give up for adoption. An emotional story that promises to be very intense from the director of The Queen.

This year’s edition of the festival from the laguna is extremely exciting, follow our daily reports from the Venice film festival. 

 
Nathaniel Maisey
 
For further information on the 70th Venice Film Festival visit here.

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