IN THE SPOTLIGHT

At the Venice Film Festival, cinema’s future looks hopeful

VENICE, ITALY >> Hope for the future of cinema was front of mind for many as the Venice International Film Festival kicked off Wednesday on the Lido.

In the face of the delta variant, and the trials those in the global film industry weathered last year, the 78th edition of the oldest festival in the world has returned, with precautions, to celebrate the best of what’s to come in film from both newcomers and established veterans, like Jane Campion and Pedro Almodóvar.

“I have the feeling and impression that everyone is willing to come back, ready to start again, ready to release the films that stayed on the shelf for two years,” festival director Alberto Barbera told The Associated Press.

Although a vocal supporter of the movie theater experience, Barbera also sees the good in streaming and again is hosting several Netflix films at the festival, including Campion’s “The Power of the Dog.”

Bong Joon Ho, the Oscar-winning director of “Parasite” who is presiding over the main jury year, and fellow jurors have the responsibility of deciding which film will claim the coveted Golden Lion Award.

Some of the more prominent films and filmmakers competing for the award this year include “The Power of the Dog,” Paolo Sorrentino for “The Hand of God,” Paul Schrader for “The Card Counter,” Almodóvar for “Parallel Mothers,” Maggie Gyllenhaal for “The Lost Daughter,” Ana Lily Amirpour for “Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon” and Pablo Larraín for “Spencer.”

Venice Film Festival jury members gather upon arrival in Venice, Italy, on Wednesday. Shown, from top left, are Jury President Bong Joon Ho, and members Virginie Efira, Sarah Gadon, Alexander Nanau, director of the Venice Film festival Alberto Barbera. From bottom left are jury members Cynthia Erivo, Saverio Costanzo and Chloe Zhao.